With a section 1031 exchange, also called a like-kind exchange, again, you can defer paying taxes upon the sale of property by swapping your property for similar property owned by someone else. The property you receive in a like-kind exchange is treated as if it were a continuation of the property you gave up.
While an investor can choose which property to sell (exchange) and identify replacement properties, the investor/taxpayer may not control or have access to the funds in between those two events. For that reason, the use of a qualified intermediary is necessary.
While foreign property is not of a like kind with domestic property, foreign properties are considered like-kind with one another. You can perform a 1031 exchange with foreign properties, so long as your relinquished and replacement properties are both located outside the United States.
Lack of Liquidity- Exchanging properties continually can tie up funds in real estate, making it hard for an investor to access liquid capital if required. While real estate can be a profitable investment, it's not as liquid as some other assets.
A 1031 exchange does not obviate the need for a realtor. Quite to the contrary, in most cases an Exchanger has an even greater need for a realtor due to the time constraints placed on Exchangers.
Your 1031 exchange must be reported by completing Form 8824 and filing it along with your federal income tax return. If you completed more than one exchange, a different form must be completed for each exchange. For line-by-line instructions on how to complete form, download the instructions here.
In New York, property types eligible for a 1031 exchange must be like-kind, which generally means both the relinquished and replacement properties should be used for business or investment purposes. Both properties must be within the United States.
Under § 1031(f)(1), a taxpayer exchanging like-kind property with a related person cannot use the nonrecognition provisions of § 1031 if, within 2 years of the date of the last transfer, either the related person disposes of the relinquished property or the taxpayer disposes of the replacement property.