Many 1031 exchangers think of "boot" as money proceeds from selling a relinquished property that is not reinvested in the replacement property. Often this occurs because the investor has another use for some of the proceeds and is willing to incur the taxes on the amount not reinvested.

Other times, boot can occur because an investor cannot find a suitable replacement property to invest the entire proceeds. As you remember, the 1031 exchange requires the investor to find a replacement property of “equal or greater” value in order to defer taxes entirely.

An example of this ‘involuntary boot’ situation would be if you sold your rental duplex for $800,000 and found a suitable replacement property you liked, but the purchase price was only $700,000. You recognize that the $100,000 in boot is not enough to purchase another replacement property, so you would be responsible for paying capital gains tax on the uninvested $100,000.

If you find yourself in this situation, there is a backup plan that could save your exchange from taxation. If suitable, the Delaware Statutory Trust or DST is a great option.

Kick the Boot

A DST is an investment structure that meets 1031 exchange “like-kind” property requirements. It has become increasingly popular among investors looking to shed the hassles of actively managing investment property while they still desire to own income-producing real estate. A DST is a passive investment where investors own fractional shares in a property or properties that are managed by professional management companies.

The advantage a DST offers you if you are facing boot in your exchange is the ability to invest a relatively small amount of money – sometimes evan as little as $10,000 – in high-quality institutional property that meets 1031 exchange replacement property requirements.

The DST Backup

You can also help relieve yourself from boot in your exchange by selecting a DST as one of your potential replacement properties. Remember, you can choose more than one replacement property during your 45-day identification period. Should you close on your desired replacement property and recognize you will have boot, your backup DST can still allow you to complete a full exchange with complete tax deferral successfully.

As mentioned, there are instances when 1031 exchange investors may select to receive a portion of their sale proceeds in cash and pay the tax. However, for other cases where the investor is challenged to find a suitable property to invest the total proceeds and defer their tax liability, the DST has proven to be an effective backup plan!

If you would like to learn more about other advantages of a DST, contact us today or schedule an appointment on our calendars here

 


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Daniel Raupp

Under Daniel Raupp's guidance since 2000, Fortitude Investment Group, LLC has guided clients into over $1 billion worth of securitized real estate investment offerings directly and indirectly, in both the DSTs for 1031 Exchanges and REITs. In the areas of real estate, tax advantaged investments, insurance, retirement, and estate planning, he is able to set up comprehensive, individually tailored client portfolios designed to help remove market volatility and maximize income potential without undue risk.

Inspired by his father’s dedication to customer service and hard work, Daniel directs a range of strategic initiatives in the firm to successfully leverage core competencies in tax efficient investing, alternative investments, and operational excellence to create customer value. His credentials include a Series 7 General Securities Representative (GS) License, Series 24 Principal of General Representatives License, Series 63 Uniform Securities Agent License, and a Life/Accident and Health Agent License. Check Daniel’s background on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.

This is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to buy/sell an investment. There are risks associated with investing in Delaware Statutory Trust (DST) and real estate investment properties including, but not limited to, loss of entire principal, declining market value, tenant vacancies and illiquidity. Diversification does not guarantee profits or guarantee protection against losses. Potential cash flows/returns/appreciation are not guaranteed and could be lower than anticipated. Because investors situations and objectives vary this information is not intended to indicate suitability for any particular investor. This information is not meant to be interpreted as tax or legal advice. Please speak with your legal and tax advisors for guidance regarding your particular situation.

Securities offered through Concorde Investment Services, LLC (CIS), member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Concorde Asset Management, LLC (CAM), an SEC registered investment adviser. Insurance products offered through Concorde Insurance Agency, Inc. (CIA) Fortitude Investment Group is independent of CIS, CAM, and CIA.

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