Can I Exchange My Vacation Home?

Clients often ask whether they can sell or buy a vacation home using a 1031 exchange. The answer depends on some factors, but with proper tax planning a tax-deferred exchange may be an option. 


How much personal use is allowed?  

 
To qualify for tax-deferred treatment under §1031, both the relinquished and replacement properties must be held for investment purposes or for use in the taxpayer’s trade or business.  Property held for personal use does not qualify.
 
So what about vacation homes?  Personal use is usually why they were acquired, but how much personal use is too much?  Hopefully the properties will appreciate in value.  Is that sufficient to demonstrate the necessary investment intent?  Or does the property have to be rented out to be considered an investment?


Appreciation ≠ Investment


The Taxpayers in one case faced this exact dilemma.1   They had lake property that was used 2 or 3 weekends in the summer, with maintenance visits in the off season.  They exchanged for property closer to home and used it even more often.  The Court disallowed the exchange, finding that the property was held primarily for personal use, not for investment.

The mere hope or expectation of appreciation was not sufficient to establish investment intent.  The Taxpayers never attempted to rent either property, never claimed deductions for maintenance or depreciation and deducted the interest as home mortgage interest.  Also, their failure to properly maintain the relinquished property was inconsistent with an investment intent.


The IRS Safe Harbor:  Revenue Procedure 2008-16  


In 2007 the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration issued a report recommending additional oversight of like-kind exchanges, specifically stating that:  “…the IRS regulations for like-kind exchanges of second and vacation homes are complex and may be unclear to taxpayers…and little exists with respect to a published position by the IRS on like-kind exchanges involving such properties.”2 

In response the IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2008-16, which provides a safe harbor.  If the procedures are followed, the IRS will not challenge whether a property qualifies as being held for productive use in a trade or business or for investment.  An exchange may fall outside the safe harbor and still qualify, but expect more scrutiny from the IRS.


Qualifying Properties


Both the Relinquished and Replacement Properties must have been owned by the Taxpayer for at least 24 months immediately before and after the exchange.  In each of the two 12-month periods immediately before and after the exchange the Properties must be rented at a fair market value for 14 days or more.  The Taxpayer’s personal use cannot exceed the greater of 14 days or 10% of the days during each 12-month period that the property was rented at a fair market value.
 

Personal Use


“Personal Use” is not limited just to use by the Taxpayer.  It also includes use by:
 

  • the Taxpayer’s family members; 
  • any other person with an interest in the unit, or their families; 
  • anyone using the unit under an arrangement which enables the Taxpayer to use some other dwelling unit (even if no rent is charged); or 
  • anyone, if the property is rented for less than fair market value rent.

 

Meeting the Safe Harbor


First, you must meet the ownership requirements mentioned above.  You should also limit personal use of the property to the greater of 14 days per year or 10% of the rental period.  If you use the property any additional days for repairs and maintenance, be ready to show proof of the actual work done

The property should be rented to an unrelated party for at least 14 days per year.  However, there is no need to rent the property for more than 14 days.  You may also rent the property to a related party if they use it as their principal residence and pay fair market value rent.

It is also important to treat the property as an investment.  Make sure that the property is properly maintained. Deduct expenses for maintenance, utilities, insurance and depreciation.  If you have a mortgage on the property make sure that it is structured as an investment loan, not as a loan for a primary residence.  


Vacation Homes Outside of the United States


What if you own a vacation property located outside the United States?  In some cases you can still benefit from a 1031 exchange.  Real estate located outside the United States is not like-kind to real estate in the 50 states, even if it is located in an affiliated commonwealth or territory, such as Puerto Rico.3    However, you can exchange “foreign for foreign”, (e.g. Belize for Bermuda) as long as the other requirements are met.

A tax-deferred exchange is one of the few wealth building tools available to virtually any investor.  Taxpayers should consider the benefits of a tax-deferred exchange whenever they plan to sell property that is not their principal residence.  

We, at First American Exchange Company, look forward to working with you on your next exchange.  

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[1] Barry E. Moore et ux. v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo, 2007-134; No. 11002-03, May 30, 2007.
[2] “Like-Kind Exchanges Require Oversight to Ensure Taxpayer Compliance,” Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, September 17, 2007, Reference Number 2007-30-172.
[3] Exceptions have been made to include real estate in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands as “like-kind” to U.S. real estate.  See: PLR 9038030; Temp. Reg. §1.935-1T(c)(1)(ii)(E).

 

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