Delaware 1031 Exchange

Why Delaware Investors Use a 1031 Exchange

When you sell a Delaware investment or business property at a gain, the tax can take a large share. Delaware taxes capital gains at a top rate of 6.6%, on top of the federal bill: capital gains of up to 20%, the 3.8% net investment income tax, and up to 25% on depreciation recapture (the tax owed on deductions you already took). On a $500,000 gain, the federal tax alone can pass $124,000 before Delaware adds its share. A properly structured 1031 exchange, which lets you sell one investment property and reinvest in another while deferring the tax, can defer all of it.

Delaware also requires an estimated tax payment on the gain at deed recording (Form REW-EST, 6.6%, or 8.7% for C corporations) at closing. A properly structured exchange generally supports an exemption from that withholding, and as your qualified intermediary we coordinate the form with your closing agent and CPA so it is right the first time. For the full breakdown, see our Delaware 1031 exchange rules guide.

What a Delaware 1031 Exchange Costs

Our fee is a flat $1,000 for a standard delayed exchange. You pay $750 at your sale closing and $250 at your purchase closing. There are no upfront fees and no percentage of your proceeds. Reverse and improvement exchanges take more work, so we quote those separately. Because we are attorney-owned, the fee covers your exchange documents and coordination with your title company, lender, and tax advisor.

Commercial and Investment Property We Exchange in Delaware

We act as qualified intermediary across Delaware investment real estate: apartments and multifamily, retail and shopping centers, office and medical office, industrial and warehouse, self-storage, single-tenant net-lease (NNN), mixed-use, raw land held for investment, and one-to-four-unit rentals. If you hold the property for investment or business use, it generally qualifies. Primary homes and properties you bought to flip generally do not.

How to Start Your Delaware 1031 Exchange

Call us at (888) 508-1901 before your sale closes. Timing is the one thing we cannot fix after the fact, so the exchange has to be set up first. We prepare your exchange agreement and work with your closing team so the proceeds come straight to your segregated, FDIC-insured exchange account. From your sale closing, you have 45 days to identify replacement property and 180 days to close on it. We track both dates with you, release funds only for qualified replacement property, and handle the Delaware reporting.

Why Investors Choose WealthBuilder 1031

WealthBuilder 1031 is an attorney-owned qualified intermediary serving investors across Delaware and nationwide. We hold your funds in segregated, FDIC-insured accounts, use dual authorization and strong security on every transaction, and charge one flat fee with no surprises. You work with a team that handles deferred, reverse, improvement, and simultaneous exchanges, and that coordinates directly with your title company, CPA, and attorney.

A Note on Risk

A 1031 exchange defers tax. It does not erase it, and the rules are strict. The 45-day and 180-day deadlines cannot be extended, and a missed deadline usually makes the sale fully taxable. To defer the entire gain, you need to reinvest all of your net proceeds and replace any debt that was paid off, either with new financing or with cash you add. Any shortfall, called boot, is taxable. Delaware's withholding and annual reporting add filing steps even when the exchange itself works. WealthBuilder 1031 serves only as your qualified intermediary. We do not give tax, legal, or investment advice, and we do not sell investments or securities. Please confirm your situation with your attorney and tax advisor.

1031 Exchange Activity Across Delaware

Investors run exchanges across Delaware, from Wilmington to Dover and Newark. Replacement property commonly includes multifamily, retail, industrial, and net-lease assets, along with Delaware Statutory Trust (DST) interests for investors who want a hands-off option.

Investors move equity into and out of Delaware. Sellers here should plan for Delaware's withholding at closing (an estimated payment on the gain at recording), which a valid exchange generally exempts; we coordinate the paperwork. The state where you reinvest sets the rules for the new property.

Frequently Asked Questions About 1031 Exchanges in Delaware

How much does a 1031 exchange cost in Delaware?

A flat $1,000 for a standard delayed exchange, split $750 at your sale closing and $250 at your purchase closing. No upfront fees and no percentage of your proceeds. Reverse and improvement exchanges are quoted separately.

Does Delaware tax a 1031 exchange?

Delaware defers the gain in a properly structured exchange, the same way the IRS does. It taxes capital gains at a top rate of 6.6%, and the state requires an estimated tax payment on the gain at deed recording (Form REW-EST, 6.6%, or 8.7% for C corporations) at closing. A valid 1031 generally supports an exemption from that withholding, which we help document with your CPA.

Can I exchange a Delaware property for one in another state?

Yes. You can reinvest anywhere in the United States. Delaware does not impose a claw-back, so once your exchange defers the gain there is no annual Delaware reporting tied to the out-of-state property. We coordinate any required closing forms with your CPA.

Do I need a qualified intermediary for a 1031 exchange in Delaware?

Yes. The IRS does not allow you or your agent to take possession of the sale proceeds. A qualified intermediary like WealthBuilder 1031 receives the funds, holds them in a segregated account, and releases them only to buy your replacement property.

How long do I have to complete a 1031 exchange in Delaware?

You have 45 days from your sale closing to identify replacement property, and 180 days to close on it. These federal deadlines do not extend, so we track both with you from day one.

What property qualifies for a 1031 exchange in Delaware?

Most real estate held for investment or business use qualifies, including rentals, multifamily, commercial buildings, and land. Primary residences and property held mainly to flip generally do not.

1031 Exchange Services Across Delaware

WealthBuilder 1031 serves real estate investors in communities throughout Delaware. Find your city below.

• Dover, Delaware
• Georgetown, Delaware
• New Castle, Delaware
• Newark, Delaware
• Wilmington, Delaware

Do not see your city? We serve investors statewide. Call (888) 508-1901 to start your Delaware 1031 exchange, or learn the details in our Delaware 1031 exchange rules guide.