Can My Self-Directed IRA Loan Money to My LLC?
Be wary of investing your IRA directly in any business that pays you or your dependents directly a salary; doing so can trigger unrelated business taxable income (UBTI), creating serious IRS challenges.
By investing in an LLC and keeping all traditional and Roth IRA tax benefits intact, it is possible to avoid prohibited transactions and retain all possible tax savings.
IRS Rules
As is well-known, the IRS has strict rules surrounding how you can utilize your Self-Directed IRA. They prohibit certain investments, as well as having a list of individuals called disqualified persons whom it prohibits doing business with or investing in (this list includes you, your spouse, lineal ascendants/descendents and parents). Furthermore, certain assets like life insurance policies and collectibles are banned altogether from being included within your portfolio.
Establishing an LLC and investing it into your Self-Directed IRA enables you to achieve checkbook control, which lowers transaction fees while giving direct access to your IRA investment. However, it’s important that you are familiar with any applicable rules pertaining to this strategy to prevent violations and fraud.
Keep an eye out for telltale signs, such as investments with no track record and claims of unreasonable rates of return. Furthermore, third-party oversight such as having an independent appraiser conduct valuation on assets before you buy is also recommended.
Lending to Disqualified Persons
The IRS has stringent rules regarding who may transact business through your self-directed IRA; these individuals are known as disqualified persons. You cannot lend money directly to yourself or your spouse through this vehicle; nor can investments in real estate where they reside be made through it.
An average person may find it challenging to abide by these restrictions, but more advanced investors have ways to overcome them altogether. One is creating an LLC owned by your self-directed IRA which then owns it – this process is known as checkbook control or an IRA LLC.
An LLC allows your IRA to invest in tangible alternative assets, like real estate or promissory notes, while still taking advantage of tax-deferred investments. Your IRA owner can act as manager of this LLC for greater flexibility and control; however, due diligence must still be conducted when lending money out – in particular when lending it out to non-disqualified persons.
Lending to Non-Disqualified Persons
Private lending offers an effective means for IRA investors to leverage their retirement funds for real estate, notes and other alternative investments; however, there are certain rules they must abide by to avoid incurring additional taxes.
Additionally, it’s essential that your IRA or SDIRA adheres to market rates when lending, as well as state laws concerning usury. Therefore, working with an expert who knows these rules and can guide your investment decisions is important.
Once you have identified a custodian that supports self-directed IRA investing, it is imperative that you conduct thorough due diligence when lending money out. This is especially relevant when loaning it to non-disqualified persons such as family. Make sure any potential borrowers provide full financial disclosures and negotiate favorable loan terms to prevent any pitfalls that could lead to an IRS audit.
Lending to LLCs
As long as you comply with IRS rules regarding disqualified persons or self-dealing, lending money to an LLC is permissible as long as funds do not commingle with you and invest in collectibles, life insurance policies or insufficiently pure coins/bullion.
An IRA LLC can be an excellent way of lending to real estate developers, small business owners and home builders; but you must ensure it abides by all IRS regulations as well as all self-directed IRA investment rules.
To determine whether an IRA LLC loan is right for your investment strategy, take into account your goals and risk tolerance before using our loan calculator to estimate a monthly payment that fits within your budget. When shopping lenders and funding opportunities, keep lending criteria, interest rates/fees/approval timelines in mind as you compare each opportunity.
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