This is part 1 of Ed Maddox's series, entitled: Things I Wish I Knew (While Completing My 1031 Exchange).
In many cases and for various reasons, the idea of utilizing a 1031 exchange often comes into existence when considering the sale of a property that has been held for a long time. Often times, the success of the property is due to sacrifice, sweat equity, and constant diligence of management on the part of the owners.
You have just closed on your property and are looking to execute a 1031 exchange. Per IRS regulations, you need to establish a Qualified Intermediary (QI) and record another expense to complete the transaction. Although many other fees related to the transaction are standard and well-defined, it can be frustrating to gauge the cost for the services of a Qualified Intermediary. In order to understand what amounts to an appropriate fee owed to a QI, it is important to consider the services the QI provides and the risks it encounters in helping to execute a 1031 exchange.
Consider this scenario for a moment: you recently sold a property and are preparing to enter into a 1031 exchange. You have everything in place, but soon learn that it is required to establish a Qualified Intermediary (QI) to complete the exchange – per IRS regulations. Who do you turn to?
In previous articles, we have discussed the importance of using a Qualified Intermediary in a 1031 exchange. A Qualified Intermediary plays an integral role in creating a smooth exchange process and making sure that you meet the IRS guidelines. There are a variety of duties they are responsible for handling, ranging from preparing relevant documentation to holding thousands (or even millions) of dollars in proceeds in an insured account. In this article, we will discuss the various duties of a Qualified Intermediary so that you can ensure they are truly doing their part on your behalf.
In December 2017, a U.S. congressional bipartisan effort known as the Opportunity Zone Program was added into the tax reform legislation (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017). The intent of the program is to encourage individual investors and companies to invest in specific census tracts around the US in an effort to promote economic development in low income communities.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law in December 2017 amid some heated controversy. However, what quietly slipped under the radar within the Act is a new tax incentive called Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs).
Investing in a Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) program is fairly straightforward. An investor takes their realized gain from an asset sale and invests it in a Qualified Opportunity Fund (“QOF”) to defer taxes on that gain. At the same time, the investor will potentially avoid capital gains on the appreciation of the Qualified Opportunity Zone Property. Another bonus is the QOF will put their funds to work in a low-income community that might be in dire need of resources. In business parlance, this represents a “win-win-win.”
When an investor approaches the 1031 exchange process, they are greeted by a variety of choices. One of the most important of these is selecting a Qualified Intermediary—also known as a 1031 Exchange Accommodator. These parties have three primary responsibilities, which are intended to ensure compliance with the IRS’s rules in a 1031 exchange. These responsibilities are:
Qualified Opportunity Zone Stock, or QOZ, is one of the three designated asset types collectively called Qualified Opportunity Zone Property, in which a Qualified Opportunity Fund (“QOF”) can invest.
As a real estate investor, there could be times when you find you might need more cash than what your revenue streams can provide. Maybe you want to make improvements on your current properties. Or, perhaps, you want to buy additional assets to expand your portfolio.
