Section 1.1031(k)-1(g)(6) provides that an agreement with an escrow holder, trustee or qualified intermediary must expressly limit the taxpayer's rights to receive, pledge, borrow, or otherwise obtain the benefits of money or other property held in the qualified escrow or trust or by the qualified intermediary.

The amount received for a property, minus the property’s adjusted basis and transaction costs. Regardless of the adjusted basis of a property, there is no gain until the property is transferred. There are two types of gain: “realized gain” and “recognized gain.” Realized gain is the difference between the total consideration (cash and anything else of value) received for a piece of property and the adjusted basis. Realized gain is not taxable until it is recognized. Gain is usually, but not always, recognized in the year in which it is realized. If gain is not recognized in the year it is realized, it is said to be deferred. In an exchange under Section 1031, realized gain is recognized in part or in full to the extent that boot is received. See Boot. Where only like kind property is received, no gain is recognized at the time of the exchange.

A ground lease differs from other types of leases. Generally speaking, one may use a ground lease as a tenant to occupy a piece of land and make improvements to it. For example, one person may own the land and another, under a long-term lease of the land, may build a building on the land and own those improvements, Sometimes it may be the only way to gain access to extremely valuable real estate in an excellent location. The owner may be unwilling to sell, or the owner may have received the property by gift or deed (such as a church or university) and be prohibited from selling for some period of time. At the end of the lease term, the improvements become the property of the landowner.