The 1031 Exchange Equation: “Balancing the 1031 Exchange”

Whenever property is sold, it is important to make the distinction between realized gain and recognized gain. Realized gain is defined as the net sale price minus the adjusted tax basis. Recognized gain is the taxable portion of the realized gain. The common objective in a tax deferred exchange is disposing of a property containing significant realized gain and acquiring a “like-kind” replacement property so there is no recognized gain. In order to defer all capital gain taxes, an Exchanger must “balance the exchange” by acquiring replacement property that is the same or greater value as the relinquished property, reinvest all net equity and replace any debt on the relinquished property with debt on the replacement property (although a reduction in debt can be offset with additional cash.)

The Exchanger can quickly calculate whether there will be recognized gain based on the following principals:

Taxable “boot” is defined as non like-kind property the Exchanger may receive as part of an exchange. “Cash boot” is the receipt of cash and “mortgage boot” (also referred to as debt relief) is a reduction in the exchangor’s mortgage liabilities on a replacement property. Generally, capital gain is recognized (and therefore taxable) to the extent there is boot.

For a fully deferred exchange, an Exchangor must reinvest all net equity AND replace the value  (with a new financing, seller financing, or cash) of any loan that was paid off in the sale of the relinquished property. This topic is often confusing for exchangors. The easiest way to think of it is that in order to defer all taxes, you must simply purchase replacement property of equal or greater value that the relinquished property.