1031 Exchanges - Say What? Terminology Part #1

EXCHANGE TERMINOLOGY

"UNDERSTANDING COMMON EXCHANGE TERMINOLOGY"

To many real estate investors, the buzz words often used to describe different aspects of a tax deferred exchange can be confusing. For example, doesn't something with two ‘downlegs' and three ‘uplegs' sound a lot more like a lopsided creature than an exchange transaction? Reflected below are brief descriptions of commonly used exchange terminology:

ACTUAL RECEIPT: Physical possession of proceeds.

BOOT: "Non like-kind" property received; "Boot" is taxable to the extent there is a capital gain.

CASH BOOT: Any proceeds actually or constructively received by the Exchanger.

CONSTRUCTIVE RECEIPT: Although an investor does not have actual possession of the proceeds, they are legally entitled to the proceeds in some manner such as having the money held by an entity considered as their agent or by someone having a fiduciary relationship with them. This creates a taxable event.

DIRECT DEEDING: Transfer of title directly from the Exchanger to Buyer and from the Seller to Exchanger after all necessary exchange documents have been executed.

EXCHANGER: Entity or taxpayer performing an exchange.

EXCHANGE AGREEMENT: The written agreement defining the transfer of the relinquished property, the subsequent receipt of the replacement property, and the restrictions on the exchange proceeds during the exchange period.

EXCHANGE PERIOD: The period of time in which replacement property must be received by the Exchanger; Ends on the earlier of 180 calendar days after the relinquished property closing or the due date for the Exchanger's tax return (If the 180th day falls after the due date of the Exchanger's tax return, an extension may be filed to receive the full 180 day exchange period.)

IDENTIFICATION PERIOD: A maximum of 45 calendar days from the relinquished property closing to properly identify potential replacement property(s).

LIKE-KIND PROPERTY: Any property used for productive use in trade or business or held for investment; Both the relinquished and replacement properties must be considered "like-kind" to qualify for tax deferral.