Investor Insights Blog|Everything You Need to Know About the 10x Power of the Solo 401(k)
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Everything You Need to Know About the 10x Power of the Solo 401(k)
If you’re looking to boost your investment buying power or save for retirement exponentially faster, a Solo 401(k) (also known as an Individual 401(k) or Self-Employed 401(k)) offers an opportunity not available with other accounts.
The account, designed for savers who are self-employed or a sole proprietor (including those who have an LLC), could help you super-charge your investing and claim larger tax deductions. Your business entity would be the sponsor of the plan, and it allows you as the employer and the employee to make contributions and salary deferrals into the account much higher than most other retirement plans.
However, the Solo (k) plan includes a couple of caveats, and it’s important to know the guidelines before getting started.
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What to know about the Solo 401(k) plan
Solo 401(k) contribution limits: 10x your retirement account
With a Solo 401(k) you could contribute nearly 10 times the amount you can with an IRA.
The contribution limit for a Traditional or Roth IRA in 2023 is $6,500, or $7,500 if you’re age 50 and older.
With an Individual (k), the employee (you) may defer 100 percent of your earned income, up to $22,500 per year, $30,000 if you’re 50 and older in 2023.
The employer (also you) may provide a profit sharing contribution of up to 25 percent of your income (20 percent for unincorporated entities).
For 2023, that’s a total contribution possibility of $66,000 if you’re under 50, or a whopping $73,500 if you’re 50 or older!
10x your tax deductions, too
Higher contribution limits mean you’re able to claim higher tax deductions. That’s a potential $66,000 tax deduction if you’re under 50 and maxed out your contributions!
One important note, though: unlike IRAs and other accounts, the account must be established and employee salary deferrals must be made by December 31 to count for that tax year.
Additional tax advantages: Roth Solo 401(k)
The Solo (k) has the added option of a Roth component. You can choose to make after-tax deferrals, which means future withdrawals are tax-free.
Plus, unlike a Roth IRA, there are no income restrictions associated with a Roth Solo 401(k).
Boost your investment buying power
The power of a self-directed Solo 401(k) is that you’re not limited to stock, bond, and mutual fund investments. This greatly expands your investment options to include real estate, private equity, precious metals, and much more. Self-directed investing is possible with custodians, such as Equity Trust, who are equipped to handle the unique recordkeeping requirements.
Suppose you want to purchase a rental property with your retirement account. If you’re contributing as much as $66,000 into your account each year ($73,500 for those 50 and older), think of how much quicker you’ll be able to accrue enough for the purchase than if you were contributing $6,500 or $7,500 to a self-directed IRA each year.
Who qualifies for a Solo 401(k)?
To be eligible for an Individual (k), you must be self-employed, have no other employees besides your spouse, and have active earned income in the business entity sponsoring the plan.
There are other qualifications as well. It’s important to review your eligibility with your CPA or financial professional.
What are your options if you’re not eligible for an Individual Solo 401(k)?
If you find you don’t qualify for a Solo 401(k), there are several other options available to help you reach your retirement goals.
If you’re a small business owner, a SEP IRA or SIMPLE IRA may be your best course of action. A traditional or Roth IRA are also options for those who receive earned income and meet the qualifications.
UBIT is incurred when an investment made by a tax-exempt account receives income that passes through an LLC. The income is taxed using the trust and estate tax schedule.
Many investors choose to live with UBIT, believing the benefit of the investment ROI to far outweigh the cost of the tax. Discuss your scenarios with your tax professional to determine what’s best for you.
VIDEO: Solo K Pros and cons
How to find a Solo 401(k) provider
Once you and your financial or tax professional determine if you’re eligible and could benefit from an Individual (k), you’re ready to find a provider to open the account.
A few things to consider when you shop for providers:
The type of custodian you choose determines how much investment freedom you’ll have with your account. For example, a directed custodian such as Equity Trust enables you to invest beyond stocks and mutual funds and into assets such as real estate and private equity.
Be wary of firms whose account offerings include only Solo 401(k)s. They may be focused on selling you that account rather than finding the account that’s the best fit for you.
One other important consideration about the Solo 401(k)
To receive the full benefits of the Solo 401(k) in 2023, it’s important to open the account before the end of the year. The employee portion of the contribution must be made by the end of 2023 to count for the 2023 tax year.
In addition, custodians have their own account establishment deadlines that may differ from the IRS deadline. At Equity Trust, for example, you typically must have your application completed by December 21 to open the account in that year.
We’re here to answer your questions about eligibility and account setup and maintenance. Claim your free guide or call 888-382-4727 to speak to a knowledgeable Senior Account Executive.
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1
What is UBIT or UBTI?
If your IRA owns an asset or interest that produces unrelated business taxable income (UBTI), your IRA may be subject to an unrelated business income tax (UBIT) pursuant to Section 511 of the Internal Revenue Code.
2
Am I eligible to make a contribution? How much can I contribute?
The IRS publishes maximum IRA contribution limits and catch up provisions each year. Summaries for each type of contribution can be found on Contribution Limits.
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