Frequently Asked Questions IRAs, 401(k)s and other tax-deferred retirement plans were designed to benefit the owner at a future point in time…presumably at retirement.
Important Information: Self Directed IRA investing.
Top 3 Frequently Asked Questions:
Is it legal to invest retirement
YES…In 1974, Congress passed the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). making IRA, 401(k) and other retirement plans possible. Only two types of investments are excluded under ERISA and IRS Codes: Life Insurance Contracts and Collectibles (art, jewelry, etc.). Everything else is fair game. IRS Code Sec. 401 IRC 408(a) (3).
Is It Legal To Invest Retirement Funds into
YES…In 1974, Congress passed the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). making IRA, 401(k) and other retirement plans possible. Only two types of investments are excluded under ERISA and IRS Codes: Life Insurance Contracts and Collectibles (art, jewelry, etc.). Everything else is fair game. IRS Code Sec. 401 IRC 408(a) (3).
Why haven't I heard about this?
It‘s really quite simple. Government regulators decided the Securities industry was best suited to inform the public and bring these new products to market. From the beginning, brokers and bankers created the misconception that buying stocks, bonds and mutual funds was all that was allowed. It wasn’t true then…and it’s not true now. You can probably guess why they kept it a secret.
Do I qulify for a Solo 401(k)?
A Solo 401(k) requires a sponsoring employer in the format of an owner-only business. If you have a for-profit business activity – whether as your main income or as a side venture – and have no full time employees other than potentially your spouse, your business may qualify. The business may be a sole-proprietorship, LLC, corporation or other entity type. Learn more .
Other Important Questions: The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) passed the responsibility of retirement savings from the employer to the employee. IRAs were created in 1975 to provide individuals a chance to direct where their retirement funds were invested. Rather than distinguishing which investments are allowed, the IRS code instead identifies which investments are not permitted under these laws. Only two types of investments are excluded under ERISA and IRS Codes:
What types of retirement accounts am I able to use?
It is possible to use funds from most types of retirement accounts:
How many people have self directed IRA accounts?
The self directed industry is growing at a rapid pace and is expected to see upwards of $2 trillion enter the market over the next two years. Some of the latest numbers show over 45 million IRA holders in the U.S. and less than 4% of those funds are held in non-traditional assets. This number is expected to increase significantly over the next 5 years as more and more individuals and their financial advisors attain a greater awareness of self-directed IRAs.
Are there limits to the
Yes. As discussed previously, you cannot invest in Collectibles or Life Insurance Contracts. In addition, there are certain transactions in which you cannot participate when using IRA funds. These are referred to as “prohibited transactions”. Prohibited Transactions are defined in IRC 4975(c)(1) and IRS Publication 590. They were established to maintain that everything the IRA engages in is for the exclusive benefit of the retirement plan. Professionals often refer to these as “self-dealing” transactions. Self-dealing occurs when an IRA owner uses their individual retirement funds for their personal benefit rather than to benefit the IRA. As an IRA owner, if you violate these rules, your entire IRA could loose its tax-deferred or tax-free status. It is very important that you work with competent professionals to help avoid violating these rules.
Are there limits to the investments
Yes. As discussed previously, you cannot invest in Collectibles or Life Insurance Contracts. In addition, there are certain transactions in which you cannot participate when using IRA funds. These are referred to as “prohibited transactions”. Prohibited Transactions are defined in IRC 4975(c)(1) and IRS Publication 590. They were established to maintain that everything the IRA engages in is for the exclusive benefit of the retirement plan. Professionals often refer to these as “self-dealing” transactions. Self-dealing occurs when an IRA owner uses their individual retirement funds for their personal benefit rather than to benefit the IRA. As an IRA owner, if you violate these rules, your entire IRA could loose its tax-deferred or tax-free status. It is very important that you work with competent professionals to help avoid violating these rules.
Specifically, what are
IRC 4975(c) (1), identifies prohibited transactions to include any direct or indirect:
Who are Disqualified Persons?
Following are those considered Disqualified Persons to an IRA or 401(k) retirement plan. Any transaction, co-mingling of funds, extension of credit, or any other direct or indirect provision of benefit between a plan and a disqualified person can result in a Prohibited Transaction and severe tax consequences.IRC 4975
Why are these rules considered
These rules exist to ensure that your IRA does not engage in any investment activity other than for the exclusive benefit of the IRA. There are many types of investments which violate this law. For example, buying a house and then letting your mother rent it would potentially create a conflict of interests. If your mother, who was making rent payments, all of a sudden could not – you would be conflicted from evicting her and finding a more reliable tenant. You would then have a conflict of interest between your relationship with your mother and what is in the best interest of your IRA. These rules were put in place to help avoid these sort scenarios. See IRC 408
Can my existing retirement funds be
A Solo 401(k) can accept rollovers from many retirement plan types. Firstly, funds must be eligible for rollover. Most any IRA may be rolled over at any time. A 401(k) or similar employer retirement plan from former employment can be rolled over. A current employer retirement plan may not be eligible for rollover. Any tax-deferred retirement plan such as an IRA, SEP IRA, or old 401(k) may be rolled into the Solo 401(k). The Roth portion of a prior employer 401(k) may also be rolled. A Roth IRA may not be rolled into a Solo 401(k). Learn more .
If my brother is not a disqualified party, can I buy a house
Theoretically yes. Your brother is not a disqualified person. However just like the scenario mentioned above, if he occupied a rental property owned by your IRA and could not make the payments, you could run afoul of the exclusive benefit rule. This could cause your IRA to have participated in a prohibited transaction. It is important that you treat every investment the same – to benefit your IRA and only the IRA.
What are the consequence of a
If an IRA holder is found to have engaged in a prohibited transaction with IRA funds, it will result in a distribution of the IRA. The taxes and penalties are severe and are applicable to all of the IRA’s assets on the first day of the year in which the prohibited transaction occurred.
Do I Qualify for a Solo 401(k)?
A Solo 401(k) requires a sponsoring employer in the format of an owner-only business. If you have a for-profit business activity – whether as your main income or as a side venture – and have no full time employees other than potentially your spouse, your business may qualify. The business may be a sole-proprietorship, LLC, corporation or other entity type. Learn more .
How do I make sure I am following
As mentioned previously, the IRS does not identify what investments or transactions you can make in your IRA. They instead state which investments are prohibited and what makes certain transactions prohibited. Identifying, interpreting and following these rules can be complicated, but not impossible. Utilizing specially trained professionals can help you follow Internal Revenue guidelines and steer clear of prohibited transactions.
My CPA or Financial Advisors
It may be they are influenced by self interest or they are simply uninformed. Attorneys stick to their core competencies and rarely deviate from them. Tax preparers are taught to do just that – prepare taxes. Your financial advisor’s company or agency may either be disinterested in this type of business or have not been educated regarding this type of investing format. A stock broker makes money when they sell stocks, bonds and mutual funds – not real estate or other types of investments.
What is a self directed IRA custodian?
The Custodian is a bank or savings and loan association, as defined in IRC 408(n), or any other entity that has the approval of the IRS to act as Custodian. In order to have a self-directed IRA, it needs to be held with a Custodian who will allow investments into non-traditional investments. There are very few of these types of custodians. A Retirement Account Facilitator or Administrator can set up the legal structure such as an LLC or C Corporation that allows for checkbook control of the funds. The Facilitator or Administrator, unlike the Custodian, does not hold the funds, but usually contracts with a Custodian to hold the funds as part of the services provided.
Why are there not more of
The Custodian is a bank or savings and loan association, as defined in IRC 408(n), or any other entity that has the approval of the IRS to act as Custodian. In order to have a self-directed IRA, it needs to be held with a Custodian who will allow investments into non-traditional investments. There are very few of these types of custodians. A Retirement Account Facilitator or Administrator can set up the legal structure such as an LLC or C Corporation that allows for checkbook control of the funds. The Facilitator or Administrator, unlike the Custodian, does not hold the funds, but usually contracts with a Custodian to hold the funds as part of the services provided.
Are my funds safe with one of these custodians?
A custodian must be a registered Trust Company. For one to register as a Trust Company the institution must meet stringent state requirements and have adequate reserves. Your money is kept in a separate account for your benefit and not subject to creditors of the custodian. Further, if your funds have been placed into an LLC or C Corporation, the custodian never has control of your money – YOU DO! You are ALWAYS in control.Are my funds safe with one of these custodians?
Are There Taxes for Converting to a
No taxes are incurred by moving to a self-directed IRA or Solo 401(k) plan.Our self-directed retirement plans are still retirement plans provided tax-sheltered status by the IRS, and are in most all respects identical to similar plans offered by mainstream financial services firms. What is different is that our self-directed plans are configured to invest differently, and expand your choices beyond conventional publicly traded assets.Assuming your funds are eligible to be rolled over, they can move from one plan to another without tax implications.
