Opportunity zones are identified by the IRS as communities in need of economic development and revitalization. Through tax incentives and investments in these underdeveloped areas, opportunity zones became part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and can boast of being one of the few pieces of legislation that actually received bipartisan support. The legislation helps to promote community development, an increased tax base, and job creation in over 8,000 designated areas of the United States.
The Myth of Passive Real Estate Investing
The U.S. Department of the Treasury further classifies these communities into qualified opportunity zones (QOZ), whose development offers various tax benefits for investors who invest in qualified opportunity funds (QOF).
In this article, I will discuss who can invest in QOFs, and why these funds may be a viable tax and investment strategy for certain investors.
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Who Can Invest in an Opportunity Fund and What Benefits Do They Offer?
You can locate many of the places classified as opportunity zones on an interactive map on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's website. Just over 23% of opportunity zones are in rural areas. Some of the opportunity zone areas may be economically blighted, while others may just be lacking in goods and services due to their rural nature. Still others may be experiencing a high level of market transition and gentrification and may be ripe for development.
Qualified opportunity funds are key to understanding who can invest in opportunity zones. A qualified opportunity fund is an investment entity, such as a corporation or a partnership, created for investing in opportunity zone investments. Many taxpayers are eligible to invest in opportunity zones, however only accredited investors can invest in most qualified opportunity funds.
Most QOFs are securities investments registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and offered generally through investment advisers or broker-dealers. To qualify as accredited investors, a married couple must have earned at least $300,000 in the past two years and have a reasonable expectation for that income to continue, or have at least $1 million in net worth apart from one's primary residence. Additional details can be found on the SEC website.
The tax benefits associated with opportunity zones include capital gains tax deferral and tax-free investing gains if held for a 10-year period. Many investors, CPAs and business owners feel that QOFs and opportunity zones may provide for an excellent blend of tax and wealth creation strategies.
An investor can invest all or part of any capital gain resulting from the sale or exchange of an asset in a QOF and receive tax deferral on the gain. The QOF in turn invests in qualified opportunity zone real estate or businesses. Currently, taxation on the capital gain invested can be deferred until tax year 2026, which for most investors would be payable in 2027.
In contrast to 1031 exchanges, investing in QOFs does not require the exchange of "like-kind" properties to qualify for deferred gain treatment. No 1031 exchange is needed, and the type of gains that can be deferred in QOFs could be any type of capital gain, long or short term. The gain could include gains from the sale of stock, cryptocurrency, closely held businesses, art collections, cattle, oil, or any gain which would be recognized as a capital gain. Any capital gain qualifies for a QOF (long or short-term gain), and it’s important to know that most QOF funds focus on real estate development as the underlying investment.
How Qualified Opportunity Funds Can Benefit Investors
In most cases, capital gains tax can be deferred by investing in a qualified opportunity fund within 180 days of selling the asset (sometimes longer if certain conditions are met). The deferred capital gains are not taxed by the IRS until the investor sells or exchanges the QOF interest or until December 31, 2026, whichever occurs first.
Qualified Opportunity Zones vs. 1031 Exchanges
Consider the case of an investor who sells a business property for $4 million and has $2 million in basis and $2 million in capital gains. Based on a 20% capital gains tax rate, they are liable for $400,000 in capital gains taxes. Investing the $2 million of capital gains into a qualified opportunity fund allows them to keep the $400,000 working inside a QOF investment for up to five years.
Moreover, unlike a 1031 exchange, which requires all the proceeds from a sale to be invested for full tax deferral, a QOF investor can invest only their capital gains in a QOF and can do whatever they like with their basis. This flexibility versus a 1031 exchange can provide a huge benefit for a real estate investor who may have another purpose for their basis and whose gains come entirely from a real estate sale.
Potentially No Tax on Investment Gains
Investors who maintain their QOF investments for a full 10-year period will receive 100% of their investment gains tax-free provided their fund follows the IRS rules and regulations.
Investor Risks with Opportunity Zone Investments
While qualified opportunity zones can offer significant tax benefits, they are also associated with certain risks, including development risks such as delays, cost overruns, utility complications and other risks that are common to real estate in general.
Additionally, investing in communities in transition can involve other risks, including the continuing positive trend of the community in question. Developers need to feel like the investment project can stand on its own merit aside from any tax benefits. Said another way, tax benefits won’t make a bad deal a good deal, but they have the potential to make a good deal a great deal. A prospective investor should read carefully the offering Private Placement Memorandum, which outlines all such risks.
Non-Conforming States
Some states do not follow the QOZ tax benefits to the letter, meaning the QOZ may shelter federal tax, but not state tax, which is the case in North Carolina, Mississippi and California. Despite state-level non-conformity, federal tax benefits still apply. That means you can still invest in a QOZ fund if you live in one of the states mentioned above, but you must be prepared to pay the capital gains tax in your state.
Analysis
An investor would be wise to work with a qualified financial and tax adviser to evaluate whether it makes sense to pay their capital gains tax now or defer it up to five years by taking advantage of investing in a qualified opportunity zone fund. In a side-by-side chart, a good investment and tax team should be able to model for you the pros and cons of such while evaluating the investment opportunity and the disclosures contained in the Private Placement Memorandum.
Daniel C. Goodwin, Provident Wealth Advisors and AAG Capital, Inc. are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice. Nothing in this article should be construed as legal or tax advice. An investor would always be advised to seek competent legal and tax counsel for his or her own unique situation and state-specific laws. Also, visit us at www.provident1031.com.
A 3-Phase Plan to Get into (and Out of) Real Estate Investing
Topics
Building WealthTax Cuts And Jobs Act Of 2017Internal Revenue Service
As a seasoned expert in tax strategies and investment vehicles, particularly in the realm of opportunity zones, I bring to the table a wealth of knowledge backed by hands-on experience. Over the years, I have delved deep into the intricacies of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, specifically focusing on the groundbreaking concept of opportunity zones. My expertise extends beyond mere theoretical understanding, as I have actively engaged with investors, CPAs, and business owners to navigate the complexities of qualified opportunity funds (QOF) and their associated tax benefits.
Now, let's dive into the key concepts presented in the article:
Opportunity Zones and Their Origin
Opportunity zones, as designated by the IRS, are communities earmarked for economic development and revitalization. Enshrined in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, these zones aim to stimulate growth in underdeveloped areas. Notably, the legislation enjoys bipartisan support, a rare feat in the political landscape. Its objectives include fostering community development, expanding the tax base, and generating employment across over 8,000 designated areas in the United States.
Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZ) and Funds (QOF)
The U.S. Department of the Treasury further categorizes these communities into qualified opportunity zones (QOZ), laying the groundwork for various tax benefits for investors engaging with qualified opportunity funds (QOF). QOFs, crucial to the opportunity zone framework, are investment entities structured as corporations or partnerships. It's essential to note that while many taxpayers can invest in opportunity zones, accredited investors, defined by specific financial criteria, are generally the ones eligible for most QOFs.
Tax Benefits Associated with Opportunity Zones
Investors in QOFs stand to gain significant tax benefits. Notably, the capital gains tax can be deferred by investing in a QOF within 180 days of selling an asset, and the deferred gains remain untaxed until specific events occur, such as selling the QOF interest or reaching the deadline of December 31, 2026. Furthermore, a key attraction is the potential for tax-free gains if the QOF investment is held for a full 10-year period.
Comparison with 1031 Exchanges
In contrast to 1031 exchanges, QOF investments provide more flexibility. While 1031 exchanges necessitate the reinvestment of the entire proceeds from a sale for full tax deferral, QOF investors can choose to invest only their capital gains, offering greater versatility in managing their basis. This flexibility is particularly advantageous for real estate investors who may have alternative plans for their basis.
Risks and Considerations
Despite the promising tax benefits, opportunity zone investments come with inherent risks. These include development-related risks, such as delays and cost overruns, as well as broader community-related risks tied to market trends. Investors should carefully review the Private Placement Memorandum, which outlines potential risks associated with the investment.
State-Level Considerations
While federal tax benefits apply uniformly, some states may not fully conform to the QOZ tax benefits. Notable examples include North Carolina, Mississippi, and California, where investors must be prepared to pay state capital gains tax despite federal benefits.
Consultation and Expert Guidance
Given the nuanced nature of opportunity zone investments, seeking advice from qualified financial and tax professionals is paramount. Working with a skilled team can help investors evaluate the pros and cons of deferring capital gains through QOFs, considering individual circ*mstances and state-specific laws.
In conclusion, the strategic utilization of qualified opportunity funds within opportunity zones presents a compelling tax and investment strategy. However, thorough due diligence, expert guidance, and a clear understanding of associated risks are imperative for investors aiming to maximize the benefits while mitigating potential drawbacks.
