Farmers and 1031 Exchange - What You Must Know | DST Investment

If you have been curious about participating in the 1030 Exchange, you have come to the right place. The 1030 Exchange is known as the Internal Revenue Service Code that allows investors to defer their taxes through the purchase of replacement property. This investment has been know to help farming entities build wealth. 

Investors will need to work with an accredited firm that handles 1030 Exchange transactions. A qualified firm can legally partake in these property transactions and have access to the investments worth considering. These transactions are investments in real property bought and sold in the Exchange, with returns going into a new property to avoid paying capital gains taxes. This deferral tool allows investors to invest in more assets according to their personal priorities.

Notable Benefits of the 1030 Exchange for Farmers

Exchange investments allow cash flow ease while keeping more money in the day-to-day operations of the farm. These funds can also aid in building wealth overtime to secure a future that can be uncertain given the climate of farming today. Dollars normally be siphoned toward taxes are instead available to be reinvested. This is true wealth building while still having cash flow. 

Decoding The 1030 Exchange

While investors in transitional agriculture near metro areas are positioning assets in rural communities, this isn’t making up the bulk of 1030 Exchange transactions. Farmers have gotten the impression that these are the bulk of investments happening. This just isn’t true. 

As more studies on this are being done, farmland values are balancing or reducing in value. This is because they increase land supply. Without a 1030 Exchange, land supplies would be in short and push up prices for low inventory. 

A Warning for Farmers Who Want to Participate in The Exchange

If you have found yourself confused by the legalese of The Exchange, this isn’t surprising. It can be complex to understand, especially for those who are new to the investment. Let’s break down a few things to consider when participating in this investment. 

The Professionals You Should be Dealing With

It is tempting to approach tax attorneys, accountants, brokers, employees, or real estate professionals for advice and information about The Exchange. You will need to ask an intermediary company for this and go straight to the ownership. 

Build The Right Team

Success in The Exchange is a partnership with a qualified intermediary, from whom you can ask questions and expect transparent answers. Your team should also consist of tax and legal counsel as well. 

Assignable Property Purchases

Within The Exchange, a farmer must assign purchase agreements with the intermediary. Unassignable agreements are not allowed in a 1030 Exchange transaction. 

Down Value Trading

Investors want to qualify a property for tax deferment through the right channels. The property bought must be an equal or greater value of the property being sold. The end value must be applied to a new property and cannot be taken as a typical “profit.” Your debt on the sold farmland will also need to be replaced, with the new property in equal values. 

Undervalue of Reverse Exchange

As an Exchange investor, you’ll have access to information leading to the locations of new properties to invest in. The Exchange helps you get into these properties with few restrictions or time constraints. 

Accuracy and Documentation

The Exchange is strict, after all, it is the IRS. Many farmers will underestimate the documentation requirements and get themselves into problems. Documentation and accuracy of your Exchange property are crucial to your investment strategy. When you work with a qualified intermediary, they will secure your documents, handle the identifications required, collect notices, and keep you organized and protected. 

Nepotism and The Exchange

There are exceptions for buying a property from a relative, but this typically isn’t allowed. The rule is in place to keep the Exchange from being improperly used for other tax deferment complications and layering of tax benefits. 

Profit Use Within The Exchange

Profits of the Exchange property cannot be used to pay debts, rents, loans, and similar financial obligations outside of the Exchange property. You cannot have the property financed in layers to create an “over financed” scenario. 

The Exchange and Partnerships

For those purchasing with partners under The Exchange, selling that property and its proceeds need to be clean transactions. This means no selling of real property in a separate replacement property. 

We hope this has shed some light on what The 1030 Exchange can do for your farmland and real estate investments. If you would like to improve cash flow and build wealth, speak with a qualified intermediary today. They can reveal your specific advantages of participating in this investment opportunity.