Do DSTs work for a 1033 Exchange due to eminent domain or involuntary conversion?

Kay Properties and 1031 and 1033 exchanges and eminent domain options details

By Dwight Kay
CEO of Kay Properties and Investments and the Kay Properties Team

 Understanding the rules of a 1033 Exchange aka Involuntary Conversion

DSTs provide replacement options for a property sold under eminent domain.

Property owners initiating a 1031 Exchange often end up in that situation by choice after deciding to sell an investment property or business. But what happens when that decision to sell is out of your hands? That is the case when the government steps in to acquire a property by exercising its power of eminent domain.

 What is eminent domain?

Eminent domain applies to situations where the federal, state or local government uses its authority to acquire private property for a public use or the greater good. Eminent domain has been around for decades with cases dating as far back as the late 1800s. It is commonly used by government entities to assemble land to build infrastructure, such as roads, interchanges or airport expansion. The government also has been known to step in and utilize its powers of eminent domain to acquire property to pave the way for private-sector development that will in some way potentially serve the community or help raise the tax base, such as a new convention center, hotel, or hospital. Eminent domain or condemnation also can come into play when a property has been destroyed by a natural disaster, such as flooding, hurricanes, or wildfires.

Although eminent domain sounds a bit onerous, property owners are entitled to fair compensation for that property. Once that eminent-domain transaction is complete, the question is: What to do with that pile of cash? Just as with any property sale where the transaction generates a profit, any income recognized from that eminent-domain acquisition is subject to capital-gains tax. One way to potentially defer that tax bill is to roll the proceeds from the sale into a tax-deferred like-kind exchange. Whereas the 1031 Exchange is used for tax-deferred reinvestment in most property sales, eminent domain has its own separate category that falls under a 1033 Exchange.

 Key differences and similarities in 1031 and 1033 exchanges

 A 1031 Exchange and a 1033 Exchange were designed for exactly the same purpose. Each is sanctioned by the IRS as a means to defer capital-gains taxes. However, there are some key differences that an owner should be aware of when conducting a 1033 Exchange. One notable item is that similar to a 1031 Exchange, a 1033 Exchange allows the taxpayer to fully defer both capital gains and any potential depreciation to recapture taxes that may be incurred from the government acquisition. In other words, 1033 Exchanges have the potential for the taxpayer to avoid an even bigger tax bill. In addition, the rules on a 1033 are considered by many to be a bit more relaxed, giving property owners more time and flexibility to successfully execute the exchange. Some of those key differences are:

  • More time to execute. The IRS gives taxpayers two years from the date the sale closes to complete a 1033 Exchange (three years if granted a further one-year extension) compared to 180 days for a 1031 Exchange.
  • No limit on replacement IDs. The taxpayer has no restrictions on the number or dollar value of potential replacement properties they can identify for their exchange. In contrast, 1031 Exchanges have reporting rules that require that a limited number of replacement properties be identified within a 45-day window.
  • No need for a qualified intermediary. In a 1033 Exchange, funds do not need to be handled by a qualified intermediary (also known as an exchange accommodator or facilitator), as is the case with a 1031 Exchange. In fact, funds can even be placed into shorter-term investments, such as a bond or CD, until they are needed to close on the purchase of 1033 Exchange replacement assets.

 Do investors utilize DSTs for 1033 Exchange replacement property?

 Yes, DSTS are commonly used in 1033 Exchanges. DSTs work just like other investment real estate, the difference being that it is fractional ownership. All of the same reasons why a DST work well for a 1031 Exchange also apply to cases of eminent domain where an owner is conducting a 1033 Exchange. For example, DSTs provide a solution that allows for portfolio diversification and passive ownership in real estate as well as income potential.

Despite the longer timeline to complete a 1033 Exchange, the clock winds down quicker than many people realize. Some simply put off identifying replacement properties because they don’t know what to buy, or perhaps they are waiting out the market for better opportunities or pricing. So, it is not unusual for clients to focus on DSTs as replacement properties for their 1033 Exchange at the eleventh hour, knowing they can reinvest proceeds in one or more DSTs in as little as a week’s time. For a free list of available DST investments for your 1033 Exchange please visit www.kpi1031.com.

About Kay Properties and www.kpi1031.com

 Kay Properties is a national Delaware Statutory Trust (DST) investment firm. The www.kpi1031.com platform provides access to the marketplace of DSTs from over 25 different sponsor companies, custom DSTs only available to Kay clients, independent advice on DST sponsor companies, full due diligence and vetting on each DST (typically 20-40 DSTs) and a DST secondary market.  Kay Properties team members collectively have over 115 years of real estate experience, are licensed in all 50 states, and have participated in over $15 billion of DST 1031 investments.

This material does not constitute an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Such offers can be made only by the confidential private placement memorandum (the “Memorandum”). Please read the entire memorandum, paying special attention to the risk section prior to investing.  IRC Section 1031, IRC Section 1033 and IRC Section 721 are complex tax codes; therefore you should consult your tax or legal professional for details regarding your situation.  There are material risks associated with investing in real estate securities including illiquidity, vacancies, general market conditions and competition, lack of operating history, interest-rate risks, general risks of owning/operating commercial and multifamily properties, financing risks, potential adverse tax consequences, general economic risks, development risks and long hold periods. There is a risk of loss of the entire investment principal. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Potential cash flow, potential returns and potential appreciation are not guaranteed. Securities offered through Growth Capital Services, member FINRASIPC, Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction located at 582 Market Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, CA 94104.

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