There is one more technique to avoid paying the taxes due on some of the profit from your real estate. This is by securing new financing to pay off the existing loan and net additional cash at the closing because of the increased value of the property. If you are still in the equity-building years of our plan, you will probably use that money to acquire an additional property. One of the great advantages of getting at some of the profit using this method is that there is no tax due on the money. Because we “borrowed” the money from the bank, we have to pay it back, and therefore, not only do we not have to pay any tax, but right now we can write off the interest as a deduction on the property.

Owners who have properties that are managed particularly well prefer this technique. What’s more, if you’ve managed your property correctly, the increased rents should more than cover any increased mortgage payments. If you are in a market where you can pull out most of your equity to move into another property and still keep the original property, you could be well on your way to creating a comfortable retirement scenario for yourself.

To sum up a long and complicated chapter, this information is designed to give you a basic understanding of real estate taxation and some tax-deferral methods. The goal is to make you aware of the complexity of this area so you will seek the advice of your tax expert before you make any move. When it comes to taxes, even minor mistakes could be costly. To that end, we recommend the following.

First, before you ever list a property for sale, make sure you schedule a general review meeting with your tax consultant. Review your goals, discuss all the alternatives, and get a general idea of your position. Second, when listing a property for sale make clear to your agent and in the listing contract that any transaction must be reviewed and approved by your tax consultant. And, finally, when negotiating a potential sale or exchange, include a contingency that gives you a right to have the final purchase agreement reviewed and approved by your tax consultant. This will give you an out if your tax expert advises you against the transaction.