Toms River, NJ - Christine Matus of The Matus Law Group (https://matuslaw.com/what-is-a-1031-exchange-in-new-jersey/) is releasing detailed guidance to help investors understand how a 1031 exchange functions in New Jersey. The initiative explains how a New Jersey real estate lawyer can structure like-kind exchanges to defer capital gains taxes at both the federal and state levels, preserve investment capital, and support portfolio growth under time-sensitive IRS rules.
A 1031 exchange allows the sale of investment or business real property with proceeds reinvested into qualifying like-kind real property, deferring recognition of gain through a carryover basis. The firm’s guidance emphasizes the governing timelines that define a compliant exchange: a 45-day identification window for prospective replacement properties and a 180-day period to close on the selected asset. The overview underscores why engaging a Qualified Intermediary is mandatory in a deferred exchange, since any actual or constructive receipt of funds by the investor disqualifies the transaction. In this context, a New Jersey real estate lawyer provides legal coordination across contracts, escrow instructions, and documentation to keep the exchange within IRS parameters.
The guidance further explains the scope of “like-kind” after the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 confined Section 1031 to real property. The standard remains broad, covering exchanges such as an apartment building for a retail center, vacant land for improved office property, or a single-family rental for an industrial warehouse. Specialized interests may also qualify, including Delaware Statutory Trust and Tenant-in-Common interests, as well as leasehold interests with 30 or more years remaining. The analysis reinforces a central premise: a 1031 exchange is tax-deferred, not tax-free, and the deferred gain attaches to the replacement property’s basis. Strategic use of successive exchanges can support long-horizon planning, while stepped-up basis at death may eliminate decades of deferred gain for heirs. Within these scenarios, a New Jersey real estate lawyer can document intent and qualified use to support eligibility.
New Jersey-specific procedures are a critical component. State law conforms to Section 1031, allowing deferral of state-level capital gains taxes when transactions meet federal requirements. The guidance clarifies that the so-called Exit Tax is not an additional levy but a prepayment of estimated tax due at closing, typically the greater of 2 percent of the gross selling price or the gain multiplied by the top Gross Income Tax rate. Filing protocols at the county recording stage require the correct GIT/REP forms. For a fully deferred exchange without any boot, sellers commonly use GIT/REP-3. If a taxable boot is present, such as cash retained or debt relief, GIT/REP-1 is required to prepay the portion subject to tax. In mixed transactions, investors may need both forms to align the deferred and taxable components. Proper filings help avoid delays, penalties, or title complications. With strict calendars and documentary precision, coordinated counsel from a New Jersey real estate lawyer can reduce risk, preserve optionality, and maintain the path to closing.
About The Matus Law Group:
The Matus Law Group is a New Jersey-based law firm serving clients in real estate, estate planning, and related tax-sensitive transactions. The team advises buyers, sellers, and investors across residential, commercial, and mixed-use assets throughout Ocean, Monmouth, and neighboring counties, as well as statewide. The firm provides counsel on purchase and sale agreements, due diligence, title and closing, like-kind exchanges, landlord-tenant matters, and trust-and-estate alignment with property goals. For consultations or additional information, contact The Matus Law Group at (732) 785-4453 or visit the firm’s website to schedule a consultation.
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Website: https://matuslaw.com/monmouth-county-nj/
