Know of Companies Looking for Investors? Here’s a Potential Source of Funding

Private entity investments with a self-directed IRA: real-life examples

Equity Trust clients have used their accounts to invest in a variety of private market opportunities. Here are a few examples of people who invested in companies looking for investors:

• Paul purchased a 19-percent share in a failing Florida self-storage business and, with another investor, made it profitable again
• Mark used his Health Savings Account to participate in an investment on a real estate crowdfunding platform
• Jim of New Jersey used his IRA to invest in a FedEx delivery route franchise
• James used his SEP IRA for a 14-percent share in a land trust which purchased real estate in Florida and sold it for a profit
• Clyde of California used his IRA to invest in a portion of a film production

What to know about self-directed investing

Once your account is open with a self-directed account custodian, there are a few IRS rules to be aware of when using your retirement account to invest in startups and other businesses.

Disqualified individuals

A disqualified individual is anyone up and down your family tree – parents, grandparents, children, and grandchildren. In addition, yourself, as the account holder, and any fiduciaries are considered prohibited. IRS rules state that these individuals cannot be a counter party to your investment.

Prohibited transactions

This is any transaction involving any of the disqualified individuals named above. Your IRA transactions are to be at “arm’s length” – the account is for the purpose of retirement, so any investments in the account should not benefit you personally.

You can find more information in IRS Publication 590.

Other rules related to private entities in an IRA:

Some important rules to remember about investing in an entity within a qualified account:

• If you are purchasing ownership of an existing entity, total ownership of disqualified individuals (including you) cannot be 50 percent or higher
• Internal Revenue Code 4975 prohibits investments where the managing member is more than 10-percent interest owner and disqualified individual
• Your limited partnership or LLC may be subject to Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT)
  • UBIT is the tax on unrelated business income that comes from an activity not related to the tax-exempt purpose of the organization. IRS Publication 598 provides instruction and details on how to determine if a normally tax-exempt entity/organization is required to claim Unrelated Business Taxable Income.
  • You should discuss UBIT situations with your CPA/tax advisor
• You may not invest in stock of a subchapter “S” corporation
• Any earnings from the entity must return to your qualified account

[Related: Private Entities in an IRA FAQs]

How to get started investing in private companies in an IRA

To set up a self-directed account, you’ll need to open an account at a self-directed IRA custodian. You can then fund your account by making a contribution or rolling over or transferring another retirement account.

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It’s important to note that Equity Trust does not offer investment advice. It’s recommended you do your due diligence before making any investment decision.