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  1031Advisor
November 2008   


Photograph of Stephen L. Robison

Stephen L. Robison
J.D., LL.M
Tax and Business


UPCOMING SEMINARS

November 5, 2008
St. Louis, MO
(near Clayton, MO)

Advanced Section 1031 Exchanges-Event# 45201

8:30 A.M. - 4:40 P.M.

www.nbi-sems.com

THE CONNECTION BETWEEN REVERSE AND (FORWARD) DEFERRED EXCHANGES

Taking a Break from the Global Credit Crunch, Reverse Exchanges received good news from the Treasury Department last month with a ruling that described how a Reverse Exchange can be used in connection with a (Forward) Deferred Exchange.

Example 1 An investor may decide to sell multiple properties (A, B, and C) in a Section 1031 Exchange in order to purchase another larger property (D).  In preparation for the Exchange, the investor may have located the specific larger property and entered into a contract to acquire the property.  For example, Property A, Property B and  Property C are due to close on September 15, 2008.  The new Property D is equal to or greater in price to the combined sale price of Properties A, B and C.  The new property D, is scheduled to close on September 30, 2008.

However, for some reason, Property C did not close on September 15, 2008. This may have been due to loan problems, appraisal issues, zoning  issues, title defects, or Buyer default.  In any event, Property C will not sell before the replacement property D is purchased.   Once the Investor has closed on Property D, the Exchange is over and Property C cannot be part of the Exchange.  If Property C is later sold, the taxable gains from the sale cannot be deferred unless the Investor purchases another property, which may not be acceptable to the Investor.  However, under the new ruling, the Professional Advisor can assist the Investor in crafting a solution to keep both sales non-taxable.

Example 2.  An Investor has decided to sell Property A in a Section 1031 Exchange in order to purchase another property.  After the sale of Property A, the Investor finds Property B, C and D.   However Property B and Property C are much larger properties.  The Investor decides that if he buys either Property B or C, he might want to also sell Property Z, which would provide enough cash to purchase either B or C.

Property A sells on September 15, 2008.  The new properties (B, C and D) were timely identified within 45 days of September 15, 2008.  The Investor decides to sell Property Z and purchase Property B.  However, the Owner of Property B will not wait until Property Z is sold.  Property B must be purchased by November 15, 2008.  Once the investor has received Property B, the Exchange is over and Property Z cannot be part of the Exchange.  When Property Z is later sold, the taxable gains from the sale cannot be deferred unless the Investor purchases another property, which may not be acceptable to the Investor.  However under the new ruling, the Professional Advisor can assist the Investor in crafting a solution to keep both sales non-taxable.

Chief Counsel Advice Legal Memorandum (ILM 200836024), released on September 5, 2008, in a non-precedential ruling, permits the combination of a (Forward) Deferred Exchange and a Reverse Exchange citing the broad latitude that the Courts have accorded Section 1031 Exchanges in the past.  However, like private letter rulings, this ruling cannot be relied upon by anyone other than the taxpayer to whom it was addressed.

We know that Section 1031 Exchanges are complicated.  We  know that it is easy to make mistakes and have to pay penalties and interest as well as taxes on a botched Exchange.  That is why we have an iron-clad service guarantee to protect our Customers from Errors, Mistakes, Tax penalties and Interest.  We prepare your tax forms, provide a Tax Opinion and guide your staff and Advisors through the entire process from start to finish.  Let us Minimize your Taxes and Maximize your Cash.

Steve Robison is a Board Certified Tax Attorney.  Through his company, Strategic Property Exchanges, LLC, he has assisted Advisors and Property Owners successfully navigate 1031 Exchanges of their Business Assets with the lowest possible tax impact and the greatest value for the parties involved over the past 18 years!

CONTACT SPE
11353 Reed Hartman Hwy, Ste. 300
Cincinnati, OH 45241

Toll Free: 800-427-7212
Phone:  513-412-3481
Fax:  513-412-3482
Email: steve@spe1031.com
Website: www.spe1031.com

STRATEGIC PROPERTY EXCHANGES:  OUR SEVEN SERVICE GUARANTEES!

1.  Exchange funds are fully insured
2. 
Unlimited consultation and tax planning
3.  Protection with Errors and Omission insurance policy
4.  Covered Tax opinion protects client and advisor
5.  Complies with: Circular 230; FASB FIN 48; Section 6662; Schedule M-3; Sabanes Oxley 404
6.  Advisor protection from IRS sanctions and penalties relating to Circular 230
7.  IRS "audit-proof" auditing package included
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