Investor Reports
◊ Understanding Capital Gains in Real Estate
◊ 12 Tips for Hiring a Remodeling Contractor
◊ 1031 Exchanges "Frequently Asked Questions"
Understanding Capital Gains in Real Estate
When you sell a stock, you owe taxes on your gain—the difference between what you paid for the stock and what you sold it for. The same is true with selling a home (or a second home), but there are some special considerations.
How to Calculate Gain
In real estate, capital gains are based not on what you paid for the home, but on its adjusted cost basis. To calculate this:
1. Take the purchase price of the home: This is the sale price, not the amount of money you actually contributed at closing.
2. Add adjustments:
§ Cost of the purchase—including transfer fees, attorney fees, inspections, but not points you paid on your mortgage.
- Cost of sale—including inspections, attorney’s fee, real estate commission, and money you spent to fix up your home just prior to sale.
- Cost of improvements—including room additions, deck, etc. Note here that improvements do not include repairing or replacing something already there, such as putting on a new roof or buying a new furnace.
3. The total of this is the adjusted cost basis of your home.
4. Subtract this adjusted cost basis from the amount you sell your home for. This is your capital gain.
A Special Real Estate Exemption for Capital Gains
Since 1997, up to $250,000 in capital gains ($500,000 for a married couple) on the sale of a home is exempt from taxation if you meet the following criteria:
- You have lived in the home as your principal residence for two out of the last five years.
- You have not sold or exchanged another home during the two years preceding the sale.
Also note that as of 2003, you also may qualify for this exemption if you meet what the IRS calls “unforeseen circumstances,” such as job loss, divorce, or family medical emergency.
1. Get at least three written estimates.
2. Get references and call to check on the work. If possible, go by and visit earlier jobs.
3. Check with the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau for complaints.
4. Be sure that the contract states exactly what is to be done and how change orders will be handled.
5. Make as small a downpayment as possible so you won’t lose a lot if the contractor fails to complete the job.
6. Be sure that the contractor has the necessary permits, licenses, and insurance.
7. Be sure that the contract states when the work will be completed and what recourse you have if it isn’t. Also remember that in many instances you can cancel a contract within three business days of signing it.
8. Ask if the contractor’s workers will do the entire job or whether subcontractors will do parts.
9. Get the contractor to indemnify you if work does not meet local building codes or regulations.
10. Be sure that the contract specifies the contractor will clean up after the job and be responsible for any damage.
11. Guarantee that materials used meet your specifications.
12. Don’t make the final payment until you’re satisfied with the work.
Laws Landlords Must Know
Managing rental property is a great alternative or addition to selling residential real estate. But you have to know the rules to play the game.
- Fair housing laws: Federal and state fair housing laws prohibit discrimination in advertising rental property and renting property on the basis of race, religion, national origin, color, sex, handicap, or familial status. Some state laws go further and protect marital status or sexual orientation. One mistake many landlords make is denying a rental unit to a family on the basis of the number of bedrooms available. Be careful to review local occupancy laws and how they apply to the number of people who can occupy each bedroom. Also remember that you can decline to rent to persons in a protected class, but the denial must be based on criteria poor credit, not having a job for more than three months used with all prospective tenants and for reasons other than their membership in a protected class.
- Fair Credit Reporting Act: You can refuse to rent to an individual because of a poor credit rating or rent payment history. However, if you do, federal law requires you to tell individuals a poor credit rating was the reason their application was rejected. You should also inform them that within 60 days of the rejection, they have a right to obtain a copy of the report from the agency that reported the poor credit. You must also give applicants the name, address, and phone number of that agency. In most states, you may charge an applicant for the cost of obtaining a credit report.
- Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act: Federal law requires that before tenants sign a lease on a property built before 1978, the landlord or agent must provide them with a copy of an Environmental Protection Agency pamphlet on possible lead hazards and have them acknowledge receipt of the pamphlet (available at www.epa.gov/lead). The landlord or agent must also provide information about any known lead hazards on the property, including copies of any lead hazard test reports. The lease also must include a specific lead hazard warning statement. If your building has four or more units, you must also notify tenants in those units about the potential health threats when renovation work is done at the property.
- Reasonable accommodation requirements for the disabled: Under the federal Fair Housing Act, you must permit tenants with disabilities to make reasonable alterations to their rented apartment at the tenants’ expense so that they can use the premises. You may require that a tenant return the property to its former condition upon vacating. In addition, you must make reasonable accommodations in the rules and regulations governing your housing so that a disabled tenant can fully enjoy the premises. Examples of accommodation include allowing seeing eye dogs in a no pet building or waiving rules banning large vans in your parking lot for those in wheelchairs.
- Landlord-tenant laws: Many municipalities have laws governing how you must handle security deposits made as part of an apartment rental and what procedures you must follow to evict a tenant. Like earnest money deposits, security deposits must usually be kept in a separate account and often must accrue interest. You may also be required to provide a written account of any deductions taken from the security deposit to repair the apartment at the time a tenant moves out. Eviction regulations often set down what types of notice you must give tenants before filing for eviction and how much time a tenant must be given to resolve any problems before eviction.
1031 Exchanges "Frequently Asked Questions"
Every Section 1031 Exchange transaction is different. These "Frequently Asked Questions" are intended to answer general inquiries. The application of these principles will depend on the specific facts of each transaction. Always consult a competent Qualified Intermediary, attorney, or tax advisor to determine how an exchange may best be structured to accomplish your investment objectives.
Q - What is a tax-deferred exchange?
Q - What are the benefits of exchanging v. selling?
Q - What are the different types of exchanges?
Q - What are the requirements for a valid exchange?
Q - What are the general guidelines to follow in order for a taxpayer to defer all the taxable gain?
Q - When can I take money out of the exchange account?
Q - What is a Qualified Intermediary (QI)?
Q - Why is a Qualified Intermediary needed?
Q - Does the Qualified Intermediary actually take title to the properties?
Q - What are the time restrictions on completing a Section 1031 exchange?
Q - Is there any limit to the number of properties that can be identified?
Q - What are the requirements to properly identify replacement property?
Q - Are Section 1031 Exchanges limited only to real estate?
Q - What is a reverse exchange?
Q- What is the difference between "realized" gain and "recognized" gain?
Q - What is a tax-deferred exchange?
In a typical transaction, the property owner is taxed on any gain realized from the sale. However, through a Section 1031 Exchange, the tax on the gain is deferred until some future date.
Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code provides that no gain or loss shall be recognized on the exchange of property held for productive use in a trade or business, or for investment. A tax-deferred exchange is a method by which a property owner trades one or more relinquished properties for one or more replacement properties of "like-kind", while deferring the payment of federal income taxes and some state taxes on the transaction.
The theory behind Section 1031 is that when a property owner has reinvested the sale proceeds into another property, the economic gain has not been realized in a way that generates funds to pay any tax. In other words, the taxpayer's investment is still the same, only the form has changed (e.g. vacant land exchanged for apartment building). Therefore, it would be unfair to force the taxpayer to pay tax on a "paper" gain.
The like-kind exchange under Section 1031 is tax-deferred, not tax-free. When the replacement property is ultimately sold (not as part of another exchange), the original deferred gain, plus any additional gain realized since the purchase of the replacement property, is subject to tax.
Q - What are the benefits of exchanging v. selling?
A Section 1031 exchange is one of the few techniques available to postpone or potentially eliminate taxes due on the sale of qualifying properties.
By deferring the tax, you have more money available to invest in another property. In effect, you receive an interest free loan from the federal government, in the amount you would have paid in taxes.
Any gain from depreciation recapture is postponed.
You can acquire and dispose of properties to reallocate your investment portfolio without paying tax on any gain.
Q - What are the different types of exchanges?
Simultaneous Exchange: The exchange of the relinquished property for the replacement property occurs at the same time.
Delayed Exchange: This is the most common type of exchange. A Delayed Exchange occurs when there is a time gap between the transfer of the Relinquished Property and the acquisition of the Replacement Property. A Delayed Exchange is subject to strict time limits, which are set forth in the Treasury Regulations.
Build-to-Suit (Improvement or Construction) Exchange: This technique allows the taxpayer to build on, or make improvements to, the replacement property, using the exchange proceeds.
Reverse Exchange: A situation where the replacement property is acquired prior to transferring the relinquished property. The IRS has offered a safe harbor for reverse exchanges, as outlined in Rev. Proc. 2000-37, effective September 15, 2000. These transactions are sometimes referred to as "parking arrangements" and may also be structured in ways which are outside the safe harbor.
Personal Property Exchange: Exchanges are not limited to real property. Personal property can also be exchanged for other personal property of like-kind or like-class.
Q - What are the requirements for a valid exchange?
Qualifying Property - Certain types of property are specifically excluded from Section 1031 treatment: property held primarily for sale; inventories; stocks, bonds or notes; other securities or evidences of indebtedness; interests in a partnership; certificates of trusts or beneficial interest; and choses in action. In general, if property is not specifically excluded, it can qualify for tax-deferred treatment.
Proper Purpose - Both the relinquished property and replacement property must be held for productive use in a trade or business or for investment. Property acquired for immediate resale will not qualify. The taxpayer's personal residence will not qualify.
Like Kind - Replacement property acquired in an exchange must be "like-kind" to the property being relinquished. All qualifying real property located in the United States is like-kind. Personal property that is relinquished must be either like-kind or like-class to the personal property which is acquired. Property located outside the United States is not like-kind to property located in the United States.
Exchange Requirement - The relinquished property must be exchanged for other property, rather than sold for cash and using the proceeds to buy the replacement property. Most deferred exchanges are facilitated by Qualified Intermediaries, who assist the taxpayer in meeting the requirements of Section 1031.
Q - What are the general guidelines to follow in order for a taxpayer to defer all the taxable gain?
The value of the replacement property must be equal to or greater than the value of the relinquished property.
The equity in the replacement property must be equal to or greater than the equity in the relinquished property.
The debt on the replacement property must be equal to or greater than the debt on the relinquished property.
All of the net proceeds from the sale of the relinquished property must be used to acquire the replacement property.
Q - When can I take money out of the exchange account?
Once the money is deposited into an exchange account, funds can only be withdrawn in accordance with the Regulations. The taxpayer cannot receive any money until the exchange is complete. If you want to receive a portion of the proceeds in cash, this must be done before the funds are deposited with the Qualified Intermediary.
Q- What is a Qualified Intermediary (QI)?
A Qualified Intermediary is an independent party who facilitates tax-deferred exchanges pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. The QI cannot be the taxpayer or a disqualified person.
Acting under a written agreement with the taxpayer, the QI acquires the relinquished property and transfers it to the buyer.
The QI holds the sales proceeds, to prevent the taxpayer from having actual or constructive receipt of the funds.
Finally, the QI acquires the replacement property and transfers it to the taxpayer to complete the exchange within the appropriate time limits.
Q - Why is a Qualified Intermediary needed?
The exchange ends the moment the taxpayer has actual or constructive receipt (i.e. direct or indirect use or control) of the proceeds from the sale of the relinquished property. The use of a QI is a safe harbor established by the Treasury Regulations. If the taxpayer meets the requirements of this safe harbor, the IRS will not consider the taxpayer to be in receipt of the funds. The sale proceeds go directly to the QI, who holds them until they are needed to acquire the replacement property. The QI then delivers the funds directly to the closing agent.
Q - Can the taxpayer just sell the relinquished property and put the money in a separate bank account, only to be used for the purchase of the replacement property?
The IRS regulations are very clear. The taxpayer may not receive the proceeds or take constructive receipt of the funds in any way, without disqualifying the exchange.
Q- If the taxpayer has already signed a contract to sell the relinquished property, is it too late to start a tax-deferred exchange?
No, as long as the taxpayer has not transferred title, or the benefits and burdens of the relinquished property, she can still set up a tax-deferred Exchange. Once the closing occurs, it is too late to take advantage of a Section 1031 tax-deferred exchange (even if the taxpayer has not cashed the proceeds check).
Q - Does the Qualified Intermediary actually take title to the properties?
No, not in most situations. The IRS regulations allow the properties to be deeded directly between the parties, just as in a normal sale transaction. The taxpayer's interests in the property purchase and sale contracts are assigned to the QI. The QI then instructs the property owner to deed the property directly to the appropriate party (for the relinquished property, its buyer; for the replacement property, taxpayer).
Q - What are the time restrictions on completing a Section 1031 exchange?
A taxpayer has 45 days after the date that the relinquished property is transferred to properly identify potential replacement properties. The exchange must be completed by the date that is 180 days after the transfer of the relinquished property, or the due date of the taxpayer's federal tax return for the year in which the relinquished property was transferred, whichever is earlier. Thus, for a calendar year taxpayer, the exchange period may be cut short for any exchange that begins after October 17th. However, the taxpayer can get the full 180 days, by obtaining an extension of the due date for filing the tax return.
Q- What if the taxpayer cannot identify any replacement property within 45 days, or close on a replacement property before the end of the exchange period?
Unfortunately, there are no extensions available. If the taxpayer does not meet the time limits, the exchange will fail and the taxpayer will have to pay any taxes arising from the sale of the relinquished property, unless the IRS has expressly granted extensions in specified disaster area(s).
Q- Is there any limit to the number of properties that can be identified?
There are three rules that limit the number of properties that can be identified. The taxpayer must meet the requirements of at least one of these rules:
3-Property Rule: The taxpayer may identify up to 3 potential replacement properties, without regard to their value; or
200% Rule: Any number of properties may be identified, but their total value cannot exceed twice the value of the relinquished property, or
95% Rule: The taxpayer may identify as many properties as he wants, but before the end of the exchange period the taxpayer must acquire replacement properties with an aggregate fair market value equal to at least 95% of the aggregate fair market value of all the identified properties.
Q- What are the requirements to properly identify replacement property?
Potential replacement property must be identified in a writing, signed by the taxpayer, and delivered to a party to the exchange who is not considered a "disqualified person". A "disqualified" person is any one who has a relationship with the taxpayer that is so close that the person is presumed to be under the control of the taxpayer. Examples include blood relatives, and any person who is or has been the taxpayer's attorney, accountant, investment banker or real estate agent within the two years prior to the closing of the relinquished property. The identification cannot be made orally.
Q - Are Section 1031 Exchanges limited only to real estate?
No. Any property that is held for productive use in a trade or business, or for investment, may qualify for tax-deferred treatment under Section 1031. In fact, many exchanges are "multi-asset" exchanges, involving both real property and personal property.
Q - What is a reverse exchange?
A reverse exchange, sometimes called a "parking arrangement," occurs when a taxpayer acquires a Replacement Property before disposing of their Relinquished Property. A "pure" reverse exchange, where the taxpayer owns both the Relinquished and Replacement properties at the same time, is not allowed. The actual acquisition of the "parked" property is done by an Exchange Accommodation Titleholder (EAT) or parking entity.
Q- What is the difference between "realized" gain and "recognized" gain?
Realized gain is the increase in the taxpayer's economic position as a result of the exchange. In a sale, tax is paid on the realized gain. Recognized gain is the taxable gain. Recognized gain is the lesser of realized gain or the net boot received.
Q - I bought the property as a single person and I would like to acquire the replacement property together with my spouse?
The most conservative way is to stay consistent and complete the exchange the same way it was started and to add the spouse after the completion of the exchange. An exception can be made if there is a lender requirement that the spouse has to be added in order to qualify for a loan. If an exchange is planned well ahead of time, another solution would be to add the spouse to the title of the currently held property. Timing should be discussed with the CPA.
