| Pacific
Western Bank as your 1031 Exchange Accommodator:
Pacific Western Bank (PWB) is
pleased to offer 1031 Exchange Accommodation Services. The Exchange
Division is headed by a Certified Exchange Specialist. We are a member of the
Federation of Exchange Accommodators.
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Competitive Rates –
No fee if funds held by PWB
exceed $500,000.00. Otherwise, our fee is $500.00. |
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Funds held in separate money market
accounts (no co-mingling of funds). |
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Security of funds – PWB
is a state chartered bank, owned by a publicly traded entity
(FCBP) with $5.1 billion in assets as of September 30, 2007. |
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Personalized attention – we are
not a high volume accommodator. Each Exchange is handled on
a one-on-one basis. |
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Interest paid to Exchangor at bank’s
standard money market rate. |
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Reliable service. |
Please feel free to contact us by
phone (877-343-1031) or email
with questions or to set up
an Exchange. We look forward to accommodating your exchange!
CONCEPT:
A 1031 Exchange enables a taxpayer to defer paying capital gains
tax on the sale of investment property. It is tax deferred, not
tax-free. Consult your tax advisor.
BASIC VOCABULARY:
Accommodator – Qualified
Intermediary; Facilitator; Pacific Western Bank
Basis –
Method of measuring investment in property for tax purposes
Boot –
Non-qualified property received by Exchangor in exchange (taxable)
(e.g. cash, notes, etc.)
Constructive Receipt –
Control of the cash without actual physical possession
Direct Deeding –
the deeding of the property directly from seller to buyer, rather
than indirectly, through the accommodator
Exchangor –
Seller/Buyer of qualifying property who wishes to defer taxes on
gain
Like - Kind –
Qualifying property in an exchange (e.g. real estate)
Qualified Intermediary -
An independent middleman that facilitates the exchange process by
selling the relinquished property and acquiring the replacement
property on behalf of the Exchangor; accommodator; facilitator;
Pacific Western Bank
Qualifying Property –
Like-Kind property; property held for productive use in a trade
or business, or for investment
Relinquished Property –
Property being sold by Exchangor; Downleg
Replacement Property –
Property being purchased by Exchangor; Upleg
Safe Harbor -
A device approved by the IRS which shields the exchangor from receiving
sale proceeds in order to comply with 1031 Exchange guidelines;
a qualified intermediary is the most commonly used safe harbor
BASIC RULES OF EXCHANGES:
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Must show intent to exchange,
in writing, prior to the close of the Relinquished Property. |
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Relinquished Property and Replacement
Property must be qualifying properties.
- No primary residences or vacation/2nd homes |
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To defer all of your capital gains taxes:
- Purchase price of Replacement Property must be equal to or
greater than the sales price of the Relinquished Property (equity
and debt)
- All proceeds from Relinquished Property must be used in purchase
of Replacement Property |
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Timing rules must be met |
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Exchangor cannot touch the funds (proceeds)
from the sale
- Accommodator (PWB) holds funds on behalf of Exchangor |
TIMING RULES:
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Prior to the close of the
Relinquished Property, Exchangor must demonstrate intent to
perform an exchange through a written agreement with an Accommodator |
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Within 45 Days after the closing of
the Relinquished Property, Replacement Property(ies) must be
identified, in writing, to a 3rd party (Accommodator) |
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Within 180 Days after the closing of
the Relinquished Property, Replacement Property(ies) must be
acquired (closed) |
IDENTIFICATION RULES:
Identification must be in writing to a 3rd party involved in the transaction
(your Accommodator), non-ambiguous and timely. Call or click on Forms,
for the Identification Form.
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There are 3 options
for identifying: 1. “3 Property
Rule” – up to 3 properties of any value 2.
“200% Rule” – any number of properties, but
the total value cannot exceed 200% (2x) the value of the Relinquished
Property 3. “95% Rule” –
any number of properties, but you must actually purchase 95%
of the aggregate value of those identified properties |
ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q:
“You mention that
a 1031 Exchange defers capital gain tax. What does this
mean?”
A: In
a 1031 Exchange, the tax basis on your Relinquished Property is
carried over to the replacement property. When you finally sell
the replacement property, without doing an exchange, you will pay
the tax at that time. However, you may repeat this deferral process
from property to property over a period of years. Consult your tax advisor.
Q: I
know that qualifying property must be “held for investment.”
What does that mean?
A:
A property that you move into as your residence generally does not
qualify. If you rented the property to others, for example, that
would qualify. The lease must be long enough to show investment
intent. Consult your tax advisor.
Q:
Can I sell a
vacant piece of land and buy an apartment building?
A:
Yes. Any investment real estate in the United States qualifies for
a real property exchange.
Q:
Can I buy a property in another State?
A: Yes.
You can purchase anywhere in the United States (and the U.S. Virgin
Islands, Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands). However, foreign
properties (and Puerto Rico and American Samoa) do not qualify.
Q:
If I own a property with someone else, but only I want to
go forward with an Exchange, is that possible?
A:
It depends. If you own the property
as tenants-in-common, then yes. Partnerships and other entities
are subject to different rules.
Q:
How long must I have
held a property before I can sell it in an Exchange?
A:
Generally, your intent is what governs the answer to that question.
If you purchased a property with the clear intent to sell it, it
will probably not qualify for an Exchange. Consult your tax advisor.
Q: How
long must I hold a Replacement Property before I can move into it?
A:
Again, intent is what is important. If you purchased a property
with the clear intent to move into it as your residence, even at
a later date, it will probably not qualify for an Exchange. If you
acquired an investment property that is later converted into your
primary residence, you must hold that property for at least five
years to exclude gain under IRC§121 (principal residence exclusion).
Consult your tax advisor.
Q:
Can I sell my vacation
home?
A: Vacation
homes do not qualify as investment property if the taxpayer uses
the property for personal purposes for the greater of 14 days or
10% of the number of days rented per year. Personal use includes
use by related persons, unless they are using the property as a
principal residence, and they are paying fair market rent.
Q:
What is the rule when
selling to or buying from a “related party”?
A: If
selling the Relinquished Property to a related party, that property
must be held for 2 years. Purchasing a Replacement Property from
a related party may not qualify in many circumstances. Consult your
tax advisor.
Q:
Can I acquire more than one piece of property?
A: Yes.
Just make sure the properties to be acquired conform to the “identification
rules.”
Q:
Can I sell 2 properties and buy 1?
A:
Yes, but the clock for your timing
requirements starts running from the close of your 1st sale property.
Q:
Can I sell a piece of real estate and buy a lease on a property?
A: Yes,
as long as the term of that lease is 30 years or more (remaining
term, including options to extend).
Q:
What is the difference between an “Exchangor”
and a “Dealer”?
A:
An Exchangor’s intent is to exchange property for productive
use in trade or business, or for investment. A Dealer is conducting
his/her normal business, holding property as “inventory”
primarily for sale. If you are classified as a “Dealer,”
you will not qualify for a 1031 Exchange.
Q:
Can I refinance my Replacement Property after I have completed
my exchange?
A: Yes,
but timing and intent could be questioned. Consult your tax advisor.
Q:
If I am a seller of California real estate and enter into
a 1031 Exchange, will I be subject to California withholding?
A:
If you complete California Form 593-C, Real Estate Withholding Certificate
for Individual and Non-Individual Sellers, indicating that you are
completing a 1031 Exchange, and submit it to your Escrow Company,
you will be exempt from withholding at the time of closing. However,
if you take any cash out of the transaction, you will be subject
to the 3 1/3% withholding.
Q: If
I need a deposit for my target Replacement Property, can I use the
money being held on my behalf by PWB?
A: Yes.
We require a written request. Call or click on Forms,
for the Request for Earnest Money Deposit Form.
Q:
I have heard about Construction and Reverse Exchanges. Does
PWB facilitate those?
A: No.
PWB only facilitates Delayed Exchanges. If you are contemplating
using exchange funds on a property after you take title to it, please
call to discuss prior to starting your Exchange.
Q:
If I want to start an Exchange, when should
I contact PWB?
A:
You should contact us when you open escrow on your Relinquished
Property (the property you are selling). The exchange documents
must be signed and in place BEFORE YOU CLOSE ESCROW, so it’s
best to give us at least a couple days to do this. The sooner you
let us know after Escrow opens, the better.
Q:
What if I have closed
Escrow, but haven’t touched the proceeds?
A:
Sorry, too late. You must show intent to do an Exchange prior to
closing by signing an Exchange Agreement with an accommodator.
Q:
If I am doing a delayed
Exchange, do I really need an Accommodator?
A:
Yes. The IRS requires the use of a non-related, third party to accommodate
a delayed Exchange.
The above information is for general information purposes only.
PWB cannot give tax or legal advice. You should discuss your individual
transaction with your tax advisor.
If you have further questions about the rules of a 1031 Exchange,
or would like to start an Exchange, please call (877-343-1031)
or email Wendy
Oshiro.
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