Investor Insights Blog|How to Title a Self-Directed Investment in an Equity Trust Account
Self-Directed IRA Concepts
How to Title a Self-Directed Investment in an Equity Trust Account
When you invest in an asset using your self-directed IRA or other account, the asset is owned by your account, not you personally. As such, the investment ownership documentation must be properly titled to the account.
Here are the instructions for the proper titling of investments made using an Equity Trust self-directed account. Instructions vary based on whether your account is the sole owner of the asset or if there are multiple owners.
How to Title an Asset in Your Equity Trust Self-Directed Account
Sole Ownership Titling
Use this titling if your investment is titled directly to your account and your account is the only owner.
For Traditional, Roth, SEP, and SIMPLE IRA account types, the titling should be worded as follows:
Equity Trust Company Custodian FBO (For Benefit Of) [Account Owner’s Name] IRA
Example: Equity Trust Company Custodian FBO Jane Doe IRA
For CESA and HSA account types, the titling should be worded as follows:
Equity Trust Company Custodian FBO [Account Owner’s Name] CESA
Or Equity Trust Company Custodian FBO [Account Owner’s Name] HSA
Example: Equity Trust Company Custodian FBO Jane Doe HSA
For Qualified Plans including Individual 401(k)s:
Call Client Services for details: 800-955-3434, Option 3
Co-Ownership Titling
(Multiple owners of one investment)
Use this titling if your investment is titled directly to your IRA and your IRA will be one of two or more owners of the same investment.
For Traditional, Roth, SEP, and SIMPLE IRA account types, the titling should be worded as follows:
Example: Equity Trust Company Custodian FBO Jane Doe IRA, 25% Undivided Interest and Equity Trust Company Custodian FBO Bob Smith IRA, 75% Undivided Interest
For CESA and HSA account types, the titling should be worded as follows:
Equity Trust Company Custodian FBO [Account Owner’s Name] CESA, XX% Undivided Interest
or Equity Trust Company Custodian FBO [Account Owner’s Name] HSA, XX% Undivided Interest
(All owners combined must total 100%, but owners’ methods of funding do not have to be identical)
Example 1: Jane Doe uses an HSA and Bob Smith uses an IRA: Equity Trust Company Custodian FBO Jane Doe HSA, 25% Undivided Interest and Equity Trust Company Custodian FBO Bob Smith IRA, 75% Undivided Interest
Example 2: Jane Doe uses an HSA and Bob Smith funds with cash: Equity Trust Company Custodian FBO Jane Doe HSA, 25% Undivided Interest and Bob Smith, 75% Undivided Interest
For Qualified Plans including Individual 401(k)s:
Call client services for details at 800-955-3434, Option 3
If you’re an Equity Trust client and want more information about the self-directed investing process, log into myEQUITY and navigate to Resources>Education.
1
Can I co-invest other funds with my IRA to make an investment?
Yes, partnering your self-directed IRA or other retirement account with another funding source is possible. You can partner your IRA with your non-IRA money, your other retirement accounts, your spouse’s IRA, other people’s IRAs, another investor’s non-IRA money and your children/grandchildren’s CESAs, to name a few options.
2
Can my IRA purchase real estate that my corporation, partnership or LLC owns?
No. This is considered a prohibited transaction (see IRC 4975).
Join over 100,000 subscribers who receive investing and wealth-building news and education in their inbox.
You are leaving trustetc.com to enter the ETC Brokerage Services (Member FINRA/SIPC) website (etcbrokerage.com), the registered broker-dealer affiliate of Equity Trust Company. ETC Brokerage Services provides access to brokerage and investment products which ARE NOT FDIC insured. ETC Brokerage does not provide investment advice or recommendations as to any investment. All investments are selected and made solely by self-directed account owners.
By entering your information and clicking Get Started, you consent to receive reoccurring automated marketing text messages and emails about Equity Trust’s products and services. This consent is not required to obtain products and services. If you do not consent to receive text messages and emails from Equity Trust and seek information, contact us at 855-233-4382. Reply STOP to opt out from text messages. Message and data rates may apply. View Terms & Privacy.