1031 Exchanges vs Opportunity Zones: Which Has the Edge?

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Picture this. You're standing at a financial crossroads, a proverbial fork in the road of wealth-building strategies. To your left, the well-trodden path of 1031 exchanges beckons, with its familiar promise of tax deferral. To your right, the alluring trail of opportunity zones glimmers with the potential for tax-free growth. As you stand there, wallet in hand, you can't help but wonder: Which path leads to the best opportunity for optimal returns and minimal taxes?

Welcome to the high-stakes world of tax-advantaged real estate investing in 2024, where 1031 exchanges and opportunity zones are the gladiators of the financial arena. Let’s dive deep into these two powerhouse strategies, comparing their strengths, weaknesses and the often-overlooked synergies between them. Buckle up, dear reader, for a journey through the twists and turns of the tax code that promises to be anything but boring.

Before we pit these two titans against each other, let's recap the basics for those who might have dozed off during their last chat with their CPA.

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1031 exchanges: The old guard

Named after Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, these exchanges have been around for a hundred years, allowing investors to defer capital gains taxes by rolling the proceeds from the sale of one investment property into the purchase of another "like-kind" property. It's like a game of hot potato, but instead of a spud, you're tossing around real estate and keeping the tax man at bay.

Opportunity zones: The new kid on the block

Born out of the bipartisan Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, opportunity zones are designated opportunistic areas that can benefit from development and job creation. Here, investors can plow their capital gains into new projects or businesses. The carrot? Deferred and potentially reduced taxes on the initial investment, plus the holy grail of tax-free gains on the new investment if held for at least 10 years.

So which one is better for you? Now that we've set the stage, let's watch these two duke it out in a battle royal of tax benefits and investment potential.

Round 1: Flexibility

1031 exchanges: These old-timers offer a wide playing field. You can exchange almost any type of investment real estate for another, whether it's swapping a small apartment building for a sprawling ranch or trading a strip mall for a self-storage facility. It's like real estate musical chairs, and as long as you follow the rules, you can keep playing. Best of all, you are in control of when, or whether, the music stops.

Opportunity zones: Here, your options are more limited. You're restricted to investing in specific geographic areas designated as opportunity zones. It's like being told you can shop only at certain stores in the mall, but those stores are having a massive sale. All you have to do is find a store you like.

Edge: 1031 exchanges take this round for their go-anywhere, swap-anything flexibility.

Round 2: Tax benefits

1031 exchanges: The main draw here is tax deferral. You can keep kicking the tax can down the road, potentially forever if you play your cards right (and don't mind your heirs dealing with it later). It's the investing equivalent of "I'll do it tomorrow" — except in this case, procrastination pays off.

Opportunity zones: While you do get tax deferral on your initial gains until 2026, the real magic happens after 10 years. If you hold your opportunity zone investment for a decade, any gains on that investment are completely tax-free. It's like finding a golden ticket in your Wonka Bar, but instead of a chocolate factory, you get a tax-free windfall.

Edge: Opportunity zones eke out the win in this round. The prospect of tax-free gains is hard to beat, even for the most die-hard 1031 fan.

Round 3: Investment potential

1031 exchanges: These allow you to leverage your entire investment, including the gains, into a new property. It's like trading up houses, but instead of a bigger backyard or an in-law suite, you're aiming for bigger returns.

Opportunity zones: While you can invest only your gains (not the entire proceeds from a sale), the potential for growth in these up-and-coming areas can be significant. It's a bit like backing a scrappy underdog — higher risk, but potentially higher reward.

Edge: This round is a draw. Depending on your investment goals and risk tolerance, both strategies offer unique advantages. If immediate cash flow is of high importance, then the 1031 might be most attractive to an investor, but if growth is of greater importance than cash flow, the opportunity zone could win out for you.

Round 4: Timing and deadlines

1031 exchanges: These come with strict deadlines. You have 45 days to identify potential replacement properties and 180 days to close the deal. It's like a high-stakes version of the classic game show Beat the Clock, where the prize is tax deferral and the penalty is a hefty tax bill.

Opportunity zones: While you have 180 days to invest your gains into a qualified opportunity fund, the clock is ticking on the program itself. As of 2024, we're approaching the end of the first wave of investments made in 2014, and investors are watching closely to see how these decade-long bets pay off. There’s also no guarantee that new investments will be possible after 2026, but that’s a tomorrow problem.

Winner: Opportunity zones take this round for its more relaxed initial timing but with a caveat — the program's future is uncertain beyond the current crop of investments.

But what if you didn't have to choose? What if you could have your tax-deferred cake and eat it tax-free. too, by executing a 1031 exchange into an opportunity zone?

Alas... under the law as it reads now, this hybrid maneuver isn't possible. Qualified opportunity funds do not qualify as a "like-kind" investment under the definitions as laid out by the IRS, since QOZ investments are funds and not properties. We've written before about how a QOZ can serve as a backstop to a failed 1031 exchange in the article Can I 1031 into a Qualified Opportunity Zone?, but by statute, performing a 1031 exchange directly into a QOF simply can't be done.

So if you're getting the idea that the preference of a 1031 exchange over a QOF investment (or vice versa) is a function of the individual investor's circumstances and needs... Well, you've got the right idea!

Real-world example: The tale of two investors

To illustrate these strategies, let's follow two investors: Cautious Carla and Risk-Taking Rick.

Cautious Carla: The 1031 devotee

Carla sold a small office building in suburban Chicago for $2 million, realizing a gain of $800,000. Not wanting to pay capital gains taxes, she used a 1031 exchange to acquire a multifamily property in Nashville for $2.5 million. Carla deferred her entire tax bill and was able to leverage her full $2 million into a larger, potentially more profitable investment.

Risk-Taking Rick: The opportunity zone optimist

Rick also had an $800,000 gain, but from the sale of tech stocks. Intrigued by the potential of opportunity zones, he invested his gains into a qualified opportunity fund developing a mixed-use project in a rapidly gentrifying area of Houston. Rick deferred the tax bill on the $800,000 gain for two years, through the end of 2026 (and hopefully longer, if needed congressional action extends QOZs), but even better, if all goes well and he holds the investment for 10 years, Rick will owe no taxes on any appreciation of his $800,000 investment.

The crystal ball: Looking ahead

As we peer into the future of these investment strategies, several factors come into play:

Political landscape. With every election cycle comes the potential for tax code changes. Both 1031 exchanges and opportunity zones could face scrutiny as lawmakers look for ways to increase revenue.

Economic cycles. As we navigate the uncertain economic waters of 2024, the resilience of investments in various markets and asset classes will be tested.

Opportunity zone maturation. The coming years will reveal the true impact of opportunity zone investments as the first wave of 10-year holds comes to fruition.

Technology and data. Advances in proptech and data analytics are making it easier for investors to identify promising opportunities in both traditional real estate markets and opportunity zones.

In the epic battle between 1031 exchanges and opportunity zones, the real winner is the savvy investor who knows how to leverage both strategies, depending on the needs and goals of the moment. Like a master chef combining unlikely ingredients to create a gourmet dish, the most successful investors in 2024 are those who can blend these different flavors of tax advantage to suit their unique palate for risk and return.

Whether you're a Cautious Carla or a Risk-Taking Rick, the key is to understand your options and work with experienced professionals who can guide you through the complex maze of tax-advantaged investing. After all, in the world of real estate investment, it's not just about location, location, location — it's about strategy, timing and the ability to spot opportunities where others see only risk.

Disclaimer

This article was written by and presents the views of our contributing adviser, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. You can check adviser records with the SEC or with FINRA.

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Daniel Goodwin is a Kiplinger contributor on various financial planning topics and has also been featured in U.S. News and World Report, FOX 26 News, Business Management Daily and BankRate Inc. He is the author of the book "Live Smart - Retire Rich" and is the Masterclass Instructor of a 1031 DST Masterclass at www.Provident1031.com. Daniel regularly gives back to his community by serving as a mentor at the Sam Houston State University College of Business. He is the Chief Investment Strategist at Provident Wealth Advisors, a Registered Investment Advisory firm in The Woodlands, Texas. Daniel's professional licenses include Series 65, 6, 63 and 22. Daniel’s gift is making the complex simple and encouraging families to take actionable steps today to pursue their financial goals of tomorrow.