What Self-Directed IRAs Are All About
As an avid real estate investor, you probably have heard about self-directed IRAs. Self-directed IRAs are one of the most powerful tools available for building wealth on a tax-deferred or tax-free basis. If the volatility in today’s traditional investment markets has wreaked havoc with your retirement portfolio, the good news is that you have the option to use your retirement funds to invest in something you already know and understand.
Through a self-directed IRA, you can invest in directly owned real estate, mortgages, trust deeds, real estate-structured limited partnerships or limited liability companies and other nontraditional assets.
You can use a self-directed IRA to invest in real estate in a number of ways. IRA funds can be used to buy and hold raw land, commercial buildings, condos and other residential properties, vacant lots, trust deeds or real estate contracts. Aside from a few exclusions, the custodian where your account is held has free rein to determine the types of investments it will permit.
Why Invest With Your IRA
Because IRAs offer a great blend of tax shelter and growth potential for your retirement funds, real estate investment properties that appreciate over time or generate solid rental income are among your best bets in a self-directed IRA. Residential apartments, condominiums and single-family homes can be great options if you can find a good deal in a hot or up-and-coming market. With a self-directed IRA, your monetary gains from your real estate investments and the income generated will enjoy compounded growth while the asset is held in the IRA.
How the Process Works
The process for using a self-directed IRA to invest in real estate is simple. By law, all IRAs are required to have a custodian who holds title to the real estate assets for the IRA owner. In recent years, the marketplace has seen an increase in the number of custodians, administrators and other promoters offering self-directed IRAs. While it may seem confusing, the bottom line is this: Only custodians are directly regulated by state or federal bank regulators, while administrators and promoters are middlemen that are not directly regulated. Using an administrator or promoter may pose more risk to your retirement funds.
Start by comparing several self-directed IRA custodians and make sure the custodian permits the type of real estate investing you want to do. Fees among the various self-directed IRA providers will vary, so do your homework. Choose a custodian that best fits your needs.
Most custodians will have a checklist and forms for you to follow to make the process easier. As the investor, you will locate the investment property and perform the necessary due diligence, fund the account with a direct transfer or rollover from another retirement account and direct your custodian to make the purchase.
Before making any investment decisions, you should consult with your tax or legal professional. He or she can help guide you through the process to avoid breaking any IRS rules.
Play by the Rules
As with any IRA investment, there are rules, called Prohibited Transaction rules (IRC 4975), with which investors should be familiar to avoid self-dealing. Primarily, you cannot buy real estate for your direct use or benefit through an IRA. The property your self-directed IRA buys cannot be owned, occupied or in any way used by your spouse, children, grandchildren or companies in which you have a substantial interest. You also cannot personally perform any maintenance or make improvements to the property, called “sweat equity.”
Selling, leasing or exchanging property to the IRA, as well as accepting compensation for managing property held by the IRA, can also be deemed as prohibited transactions. Additionally, using an IRA or IRA-owned investment for security on a loan is also considered a prohibited transaction.
Prohibited transactions come with significant consequences. You risk the loss of the tax-deferred status of your retirement account and may incur substantial penalties and taxes. This would disqualify the account and erase any gains that you may have earned.
Crunch the Numbers
Remember that all funding should come from your IRA, so be sure you have enough in your IRA to cover the investment in its entirety. Your self-directed IRA would need to maintain funds available to pay for maintenance, insurance, annual taxes, homeowner association fees and all other property-related expenses. For any rental properties, investors would need to hire a third party to provide property management services.
Your IRA may obtain a loan, provided it is a non-recourse loan, which may generate unrelated business income tax (UBIT). Talk with your custodian in advance, as most have resources for third-party non-recourse lenders. You may also get creative by partnering with other nonrelated investors, but again, discuss this with your custodian in advance and consult your trusted tax adviser for guidance.
If you do not have sufficient IRA funds available to cover these costs, you may have to make annual contributions within the federal guidelines, rely on a federal exemption for loaning funds within strict guidelines to your IRA, or withdraw the property from the IRA and pay possible tax penalties.
Summary
As an investor, you already know that real estate is a popular and time-tested investment vehicle for building wealth and withstanding market fluctuations. With a self-directed IRA, your real estate investing skills can potentially yield extraordinary returns toward your future retirement.
DISCLAIMER: Self Directed IRA Services Inc. acts only as a passive IRA custodian and does not sell or promote investment products or provide tax, legal or investment advice. Investment products: Not FDIC insured. No bank guarantee. May lose value.
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