1031 Exchange

What the 2025 Federal Tax Reform Means for Homeowners (aka The Big Beautiful Bill’s Impact on Real Estate)

July 14, 2025
devinlucas

The 2025 federal tax reform delivers major wins for homeowners, investors, and business owners — from increased SALT deductions and permanent mortgage interest deductions to restored bonus depreciation and preserved 1031 exchanges. But despite these changes, key homeowner benefits like the capital gains exclusion remain unchanged since 1997, fueling ongoing calls for reform. At Lucas Real Estate Group, we break down what this means for Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and coastal Orange County property owners.

Opportunity Zones Explained: How to Defer and Potentially Eliminate Capital Gains Taxes in Real Estate

May 25, 2025
devinlucas

The federal Opportunity Zone program offers one of the most compelling tax incentives for real estate investors and individuals with capital gains. By reinvesting gains into a Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF), you may defer—and potentially eliminate—federal capital gains taxes while investing in long-term real estate or business projects. Learn how the program works, what qualifies, and why now may be the right time to take advantage.

Can You 1031 Exchange Out of an LLC That Owns Real Estate? Not Directly — But There Are Workarounds

May 22, 2025
devinlucas

Think you can do a 1031 exchange with an LLC interest? Not so fast.
Many investors are surprised to learn that LLC membership interests are excluded from 1031 exchange eligibility under IRS rules. But with proper planning—like “drop and swap” strategies and other structuring techniques—you may still be able to defer taxes. In this article, we break down the risks, workarounds, and best practices for LLC-held real estate in high-value markets like Newport Beach.

Structured Installment Sales in Real Estate: A Niche Strategy for Tax Deferral

May 22, 2025
devinlucas

Structured Installment Sales offer real estate sellers a niche tax-deferral strategy with long-term income potential. Learn how this IRS-approved method, backed by IRC § 453, works — and how Lucas Real Estate Group helps Newport Beach and Costa Mesa clients implement it seamlessly.

Can You 1031 Exchange Out of a Limited Partnership That Owns Real Estate? Not Directly — But There Are Workarounds

May 16, 2025
devinlucas

Can you complete a 1031 exchange if you only own a limited partnership interest in real estate? Not directly—but strategic solutions like the “drop and swap” may provide a path forward. In this article, we explore the legal and tax complexities of navigating 1031 exchanges from within a partnership, with a focus on opportunities in high-value markets like Newport Beach.

info graphic with photo of a home being swapped for another, with text "1031 exchanges: can you defer taxes on an empty home"

1031 Exchanges and Vacant Properties: Can You Defer Taxes on an Empty Home?

March 12, 2025
devinlucas

Can a Vacant Property Qualify for a 1031 Exchange?
The IRS focuses on investment intent, not just rental income, to determine eligibility. Key factors include the original purpose of acquisition, tax treatment, marketing efforts, and whether the property was ever used personally. Court cases like Alderson v. Commissioner and Reesink v. Commissioner have ruled that properties held for appreciation—despite never being rented—can still qualify.
Read the full article for key legal precedents and expert guidance.

graphic of a home swap, where one home is being exchanged for another

1031 Exchange aka the Like-Kind Exchange – An Overview and How To

May 10, 2023
devinlucas

A detailed article on the like-kind exchange aka the 1031 exchange, including requirements and discussions on use with personal residences, and interplay with the IRS section 121 exemptions. There may be no better tax incentive than the 1031 Exchange, available exclusively to real estate investors.

Picture of money with a red line drawn through

California Temporarily Waives LLC Initial Filing Fees AND First Year’s $800 Minimum Tax – A Excellent Way to Hold Real Estate Just Got Even Better

December 8, 2022
devinlucas

Effective until June 30, 2023, California is waiving the traditional $70 filing fee to form a California Limited Liability Company, or “LLC.” Even better – The annual minimum $800 tax to the California Franchise Tax Board is also waived for the first year.

New Year, New Tax Laws Impacting Real Estate Sales – IRS Exclusion Amount For Gifts Raised To $12.06mm Per Person

March 4, 2022
devinlucas

Good news for those seeking to gift or inherit real estate in 2022, the IRS applicable exclusion amount for gifts (the total amount exempted from gift and/or estate tax) is raised to $12,060,000 ($12.06mm) per person, or $24,120,000 ($24.12mm) for a married couple filing jointly.

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