---
title: Tax Deferred Definition | What Does Tax Deferred Mean?
description: Tax deferred is an instance where investment earnings such as interest, dividends, or capital gains accumulate tax-free until the payment of taxes related to the investment is triggered by some taxable event in the future.
image: https://www.realized1031.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/Realized_Glossary_Graphic-2.jpg
---

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# Tax Deferred

Tax deferred is an instance where investment earnings such as interest, dividends, or [capital gains](https://www.realized1031.com/glossary/capital-gain) accumulate tax-free until the payment of taxes related to the investment is triggered by some taxable event in the future. Real estate investments may defer certain taxes including [capital gains](https://www.realized1031.com/glossary/capital-gain-tax) and [depreciation recapture](https://www.realized1031.com/glossary/depreciation-recapture) via a [1031 exchange](https://www.realized1031.com/glossary/1031-exchange). Note that tax deferral does not alleviate an investor from the tax obligations - it simply defers the timing of tax payment to a later date.

For example, a real estate investor who completes a 1031 exchange at the sale of their [relinquished](https://www.realized1031.com/glossary/relinquished-property) investment property is able to defer the taxes due until the eventual sale of the [replacement property](https://www.realized1031.com/glossary/replacement-property). Due to the concept of [time value of money](https://www.realized1031.com/glossary/time-value-of-money-tvm), the ability to defer taxes is generally considered an attractive characteristic of an investment.

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Hypothetical example(s) are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to represent the past or future performance of any specific investment.

Investing in alternative assets involves higher risks than traditional investments and is suitable only for sophisticated investors. Alternative investments are often sold by prospectus that discloses all risks, fees, and expenses. They are not tax efficient and an investor should consult with his/her tax advisor prior to investing. Alternative investments have higher fees than traditional investments and they may also be highly leveraged and engage in speculative investment techniques, which can magnify the potential for investment loss or gain and should not be deemed a complete investment program. The value of the investment may fall as well as rise and investors may get back less than they invested.

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