Best 1031 Exchange Companies in New Jersey: How to Compare Them in 2026
New Jersey has considered regulating 1031 exchange companies several times and, as far as we could find, never passed a law. Few firms are headquartered in the state; most New Jersey sellers choose between a handful of local firms and national firms with New Jersey offices. Here is what each says on its own site, what to ask, and the New Jersey forms and fees that come with any sale.
On this page
The short answer
The best 1031 exchange company for a New Jersey sale is one that shows you in writing how your money is held and who can move it, carries bond and errors-and-omissions coverage you can see on paper, handles the New Jersey seller forms at closing, and gives you one named person through day 180.
Bills to regulate exchange facilitators in New Jersey were introduced in several sessions between 2010 and 2016 (A757, 2012; S57, 2014; S388, 2016) and did not pass. As of our last check, we found no enacted New Jersey law that licenses or bonds qualified intermediaries, and there is no federal license. So the protections are whatever the firm has and puts in writing.
New Jersey 1031 exchange companies: what their sites say
These firms state on their own websites that they have a New Jersey headquarters or office. This is not a ranking. Each entry summarizes the firm's own site as read on October 16, 2026; "not stated" means we did not find it there, not that the firm lacks it. Confirm everything in writing with the firm.
| Firm | New Jersey location (as stated) | Funds (as stated) | Bond / E&O (as stated) | CES on staff (as stated) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison 1031 | Lakewood; part of the Madison family of companies | Segregated accounts under the client's tax ID; never commingled with operating funds | $10 million fidelity bond; $10 million E&O | Not stated |
| Curchin 1031 Exchange | Red Bank; a division of a CPA firm, The Curchin Group | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| IPX1031 | Hackensack office; a Fidelity National Financial subsidiary | Not stated on the pages read | $100 million fidelity bond; $30 million E&O | Yes |
| Legal 1031 Exchange Services | Parsippany office; a division of Kensington Vanguard | A separate segregated escrow account for each exchanger | Fidelity bond and E&O stated; amounts not stated | Yes |
Leah Badach, CES (the author of this page) is based in Brooklyn and works with New Jersey sellers and investors in all 50 states. She is a Certified Exchange Specialist with 11+ years of 1031 exchange experience, and the qualified intermediary she works with confirms in writing, before you sign, how your funds are held. Ask her the same questions as everyone else on this list.
How to choose among them
| Check | What good looks like |
|---|---|
| Where the money sits | An account for your exchange alone, under your taxpayer ID, or a qualified escrow or trust account |
| Who can move it | Withdrawals need your written approval |
| Bond and E&O | Certificates you can read, in amounts that make sense for your exchange |
| Independence | Not your accountant, attorney, broker or employee in the past two years, and not affiliated with them in a way that makes it a disqualified person (Treas. Reg. §1.1031(k)-1(k)) |
| New Jersey practice | Comfortable with the GIT/REP-3 exemption at closing and what happens if the exchange fails |
| One named contact | Someone who will be there on day 44 and on the replacement closing |
Questions to ask any New Jersey intermediary
- Where will my funds sit, in whose name and taxpayer ID, and at which bank?
- Does a withdrawal need my written approval?
- Can I see the fidelity bond and E&O certificates?
- Who earns the interest on my funds, and how is it reported?
- How do I deliver my 45-day identification, and how do you confirm receipt?
- If I am a nonresident, how do you handle GIT/REP-3 at closing, and what do you file if the exchange fails?
- Is your firm affiliated with my accountant, attorney or broker?
New Jersey forms and fees at closing
These apply whichever company you choose.
- Nonresident sellers: GIT/REP-3. A nonresident selling New Jersey property generally makes an estimated income tax payment of at least 2% of the consideration before the deed is recorded. For a 1031 exchange, the seller can claim the exemption on Form GIT/REP-3 (box 7a for an exchange under §1031, box 7b if only like-kind property was received) and must show the value of the like-kind property received. If part of the sale is not like-kind, such as cash, 2% is due on that part. If the deferred exchange is voided, the qualified intermediary files GIT/REP-1 and pays 2% of the total consideration (TB-57(R); GIT/REP-3).
- Realty Transfer Fee. The seller pays the RTF on recording the deed, unless an exemption on Form RTF-1 applies; the Division's page lists no like-kind exchange exemption (NJ Division of Taxation).
- Graduated Percent Fee on sales over $1 million. The old buyer-paid 1% "mansion tax" has been replaced by a seller-paid Graduated Percent Fee on residential, class 4A commercial (other than industrial or apartment), qualifying farm and co-op sales over $1 million: 1% up to $2 million, rising in steps to 3.5% above $3.5 million (same page). The exemptions list does not mention 1031 exchanges.
- Why it matters. New Jersey's top gross income tax rate is 10.75% on income of $1 million and over (2025 NJ-1040NR instructions), on top of the federal tax.
The federal clocks are the same as anywhere: 45 days to identify replacement property in writing, and the replacement must be received by the earlier of day 180 or the due date, including extensions, of your tax return for the year of the sale (Treas. Reg. §1.1031(k)-1).
Frequently asked questions
Are 1031 exchange companies regulated in New Jersey?
New Jersey considered bills to regulate exchange facilitators between 2010 and 2016, and they did not pass. As of our last check, we found no enacted law that licenses or bonds them. Ask any intermediary for its bond and E&O certificates and account terms in writing.
Do I need a qualified intermediary located in New Jersey?
No. The intermediary can be anywhere in the United States. What matters is how it holds your funds, the coverage it carries, and whether it handles the New Jersey closing forms.
Which 1031 exchange companies have offices in New Jersey?
On their own websites, Madison 1031 (Lakewood) and Curchin 1031 Exchange (Red Bank) state New Jersey headquarters, and IPX1031 (Hackensack) and Legal 1031 (Parsippany) list New Jersey offices. Confirm current details with each firm.
Does a 1031 exchange avoid New Jersey's transfer fees?
No. The 1031 exchange defers income tax. The Realty Transfer Fee and the Graduated Percent Fee are imposed on recording the deed, and the Division's exemption lists do not include like-kind exchanges.
I live outside New Jersey. Will tax be taken at my closing?
Nonresident sellers generally pay at least 2% of the consideration as estimated tax before the deed is recorded, unless an exemption applies. A 1031 exchange can qualify on Form GIT/REP-3; any cash or other non-like-kind part is still subject to the 2% payment.
Sources
- NJ Division of Taxation, TB-57(R) and Form GIT/REP-3.
- NJ Division of Taxation, realty transfer fee and Graduated Percent Fee.
- 2025 NJ-1040NR instructions, rate schedule.
- New Jersey bills: A757 (2012), S57 (2014), S388 (2016).
- Treas. Reg. §1.1031(k)-1.
- Firm details: each firm's own website, linked in the table, read October 16, 2026.
Educational information, not tax or legal advice. Firm details are as stated on each firm's website and may change; confirm them in writing.
Selling New Jersey property?
Leah is based in Brooklyn, across the river, and works with New Jersey sellers and investors in all 50 states. Tell her where the property is and when you expect to close.
Talk to Leah