Investors cringe when they hear about cashing out "tax-free." Taxes are merely deferred, only when a step-up in basis occurs are there no tax implications. (Verify with your tax professional). Something has changed: Opportunity Zones From the IRS.Gov Opportunity Zone FAQ: Q. How do Opportunity Zones spur economic development? A. Opportunity Zones are designed to spur economic development by providing tax benefits to investors. First, investors can defer tax on any prior gains