A Qualified Intermediary, or QI, is an independent third party to the transaction whose function is to prepare the documents necessary to create the exchange, as well as to act as the independent escrow agent for the exchange funds.
What Is a Qualified Intermediary? Qualified Intermediary (QI) is someone a property seller selects to oversee the 1031 exchange process and its funds. They hold the funds from the previous property and use them to acquire the new replacement property to ensure compliance with IRS regulations.
While it may be tempting to ask your CPA to act as your Qualified Intermediary, a CPA cannot facilitate a 1031 exchange between investors. Under IRC Section 1031 guidelines, CPAs, attorneys, investment bankers, and real estate agents/brokers fall under the 'agent' category.
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.
Appraisals are an integral part of the 1031 exchange process as they provide an unbiased estimate of the property's value.
If during the current tax year you transferred property to another party in a like-kind exchange, you must file Form 8824 with your tax return for that year. Also file Form 8824 for the 2 years following the year of a related party exchange. See Line 7, later, for details. Section 1031 regulations.
How to Do a 1031 Exchange Choose a qualified intermediary to coordinate the exchange. Sell your current real estate property. You have 45 days to identify potential replacement properties. You have 180 days to close on a replacement property. File IRS Form 8824.
The property must be a business or investment property, which means that it can't be personal property. Your home won't qualify for a 1031 exchange. However, a single-family rental property that you own could be exchanged for commercial rental property.
Both properties must be held for use in a trade or business or for investment. Property used primarily for personal use, like a primary residence or a second home or vacation home, does not qualify for like-kind exchange treatment.