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What is Self Directed IRA?

  Sanjiv Gupta CPA  Published 

When discussing self-directed IRA, it is important to note that it is not any different of a significant matter when compared to the IRA. However, the former is unique due to the available options for investment as well as the investing direction that comes to the entrepreneur.


There are some IRA custodians that only let the investment of bonds, mutual funds, stocks, and CDs. IRA custodians that are self-directed like the Equity Trust let these kinds of investments proceed along with the addition of private placements, real estate, tax lien certificates, and notes.


Potential Benefits of Self-Directed IRAs?


Individuals can invest their tax-advantage retirement dollars in such investments once they know exactly how to go about it. Through compounding interest and its advantage, this has the potential in creating lasting wealth for the individual and everyone involved. 


FAQs of Self-Directed IRAs


Not Many People Know This About IRAs. This is because self-directed IRAs give off the impression that it is a recent phenomenon. The truth of the matter is, it has been around for quite some time. It has been established circa 1974. People have been investing in the alternatives to bonds, mutual funds and stocks and IRS have always allowed them to do so. Self-directed IRAs are not recognized because custodians who offer these, such as brokerage firms and banks, also offer the traditional investments.  Equity Trust has been custodians to alternative investments like notes, real estate and precious metals and this has been going about since 1983.


Some Attorneys, CPAs, Financial Advisors have not heard of self-directed IRA. It is not completely uncommon for trusted advisors to not have heard self-directed IRAs. There are companies that work with some professional advisers all over the country, and their job is to explain the whole concept of the self-directed IRAs and what their roles are when hired as IRA custodians.


Self-Directed IRAs are under IRA rules. As long as the individual follows relevant rules, then it is possible. There are specific rules that one must be familiar with before any financial decisions are made. There are also some transactions that cannot be performed through IRA.


How Self-Directed IRA Investments Work. Investing in alternative assets through a self-directed IRA can also be the same in investing these outside IRA. There are also many primary differences that are important and must be strict rules to be aware of and followed. These are the 5 steps that individuals can follow for them to invest through the self-directed IRA.


5 Steps of the Self-Directed IRA Investment


  1. Identify Potential Investment and Also Perform Due Diligence


Self-directed IRAs give the individual the freedom in investing a wide range of options like notes, precious metals, tax liens and more. As self-directed investors, it is important for individuals to do their homework and also perform the process in due diligence on each investment opportunity that is identified. They are advised to consult with their financial professional or tax attorney before any investment decisions are finalized. 


  1. Requesting Funds and Directing the Investment


When the individual decides on initiating the investment, he or she must complete a DOI or the Direction of Investment form and then provide it with the Equity Trust.  The DOI also has details and instructions regarding the investment, like the total value of the investment, where to direct the funds and if there is any kind of documentation that requires signatures. Supporting the documentation can also be a requirement when verifying the investment.


It is important to note that all the investment and documents relating to this must also be filed in the name of the IRA and not the individual directly. In this scenario, the titling of the investment with one IRA ownership is the Account Number IRA or the Equity Trust Company Custodian FBO.


  1. Equity Trust That Processes Investment


The equity trust also processes the DOI or the Direction of Investment form which sends the funds as per the instruction to complete the purchasing of the investment. Once the purchase has been closed and made final, then the IRA eventually owns the asset. 


  1. Management of the Investment that is within the IRA


The step also continues in longing for the IRA that is owned in the investment. All the expenses that are related through the investment can also be paid from the IRA as well as the profits and income that are related to the investment which can also be returned directly through the IRA. All the funds must also flow and through the IRA as long as there are tax advantages.


  1. Acting on the Exit Strategy and Planning the Next Steps


The lifecycle, as well as the direction of the IRA investment that the individual directs, is completely up to him or her. If the individual plans on selling the asset and then completing the Sale Direction of the Investment form then include this in the supporting documentation. The Equity Trust can also process sales transaction for the instructions on behalf of the IRA. The asset is also removed from this IRA just in exchange that the proceeds can go on sale.


It is also possible for the individual to distribute the assets along with the cash from the account and then complete this in the Distribution Request form to elect and to hold the assets and to also pass this along to the beneficiary to help in creating the advantage of the tax even after death. When this is done, the individual will then consult with the tax attorney and also seek the advise of financial professionals before finalizing any decision.


Is There A Guarantee for Self-Directed IRA Investments?


There is no guarantee because the investments are held within it. Each investment, whether the individual resorted to self-directed IRA or not always has a risk that comes with it. This may also include the loss of the very principal case.


Is the Self-Directed IRA for everyone?


Self-directed IRAs do not appeal to everyone. These options are for those who wish there is diversity in their portfolio. They are also the type who can control their financial future and can create wealth just by maximizing their knowledge on investments, bonds, stocks, and CDs. It is important to note though that Equity Trust is the passive custodian and will not provide the legal, tax or investment advice.


Self-Directed IRAs are Crucial to The Individual’s Future


As for any IRA, the very goal of the account is for the individual to be able to provide for himself in the future. Financial security is very important for anyone and the reality is that today’s environment in investing focuses on Social Security and pensions and other government programs that could be in trouble and may deem unreliable to support individuals, especially during their retirement. The stock market is usually volatile and resorting to just leaving money in one’s savings account may lead to inflation that is crippling to the nest egg. One can still secure financial future by relying on the power of the self-directed IRA.


Benefits of Self-Directed IRAs


Brokerage firms serve as custodians for lots of IRAs. However, custodians that belong with self-directed IRAs are companies that have niches in this industry. This includes trust companies and banks. Custodians also differ in the kind of investment that they opt to handle so individuals are advised to look around for the best one that would work for them. Once a custodian is found, an account is opened and contributed money in it. This is the same thing that would be done with any IRA.


Self-directed IRAs are complicated. Individuals are encouraged to have financial advisers that are experienced in managing investment deals along with the self-directed IRAs that can help in the due diligence of the investments. Custodians will not offer this on a general basis. It must also be remembered that the IRS does not allow these kinds of investments toward the direction of the IRA and this includes life insurance and collectibles.


The very reason why investors take on the risks of signing up for IRAs is the higher expected returns as well as more opportunities for diversification. If they understand how investments work and they are particularly certain of the segments, then they can take advantage of the higher yields with even less volatility. Self-directed IRA also results in investing in companies that are not publicly traded with a mutual fund. This is also not a game to be played by those who are not sophisticated enough.


Risks of Self-Directed IRAs


The benefits are pretty much well and good, but it is still necessary to consider the substantial risks as these are very important. There are prohibited transactions such as the IRA tax benefit evaporating if the rules are not followed. This might also end up to the individual owing the interest and penalties.


The potential blunder that is most likely to be committed is the company not being able to deal because this prohibits the individual from borrowing money, selling the property and also interact with others. If the individual does invest in rental properties via IRA, then the entire account will be distributed. The downside is that the person will owe penalty just because he tried to save up.


To avoid violating this rule that is quite self-dealing, then the individual must look at the IRA as a body that operates and owns the assets within the vicinity. In a nutshell, the IRA, and not the individual, pays someone else to do this work. Another rule that does not allow entering into deals with relatives including children, parents and other people are the prohibited transactions of the IRS.


It is up to the individual to understand the investments that are to be made when it comes to dealing with the self-directed IRA. Custodians and administrators are not allowed to be the adviser for finances because most of the time, investors are not good listeners.


Fees for the Self-Directed IRAs


These can be quite steep costing as much as $250. It also varies on the kind of custodian and investment. Generally, the fee structure is quite varied depending on the offering.


There is also the lack of liquidity that lets the individual invest in wide and various investments. Most of the time though, these assets are liquid. This means that this can also run through unexpected emergencies. Therefore, making the individual quite hard pressed when it comes to getting money from the IRA. There might also be a need for the buyer to buy the investment and leads to issues for the individuals to just opt for the traditional and self-directed IRA.


Lack of Transparency


Individuals must know the kind of investment and its worth. The SEC or The Securities and Exchange Commission warns investors that the IRA promoters heading toward self-direction can also list down the purchase price. These purchase price also lead to the expected returns and the value of it. The figure may not be the actual amount that can lead to the assets, but investors must also be aware of these valuations.


This is because it generally reflects the price of the investment can be sold at that rate. Relatively, if the individual plans on leaving this kind of investment, then it is possible to just buy the building with that group of people. An investor also says that it is possible to sell the building only to realize that it is an investment gone wrong. In other words, an exit has to be defined, and it has to be defined well.


Self-Directed IRAs Must Avoid Looking Like Its Fraud


Just like anything else, there are scams and fraud related to this kind of investment. It is also a way to add the stamp to the legitimacy of any self-directed IRA. The common ruse is for the custodian to vet through the approvals along with the underlying investment such as the SEC notes and evaluation of the custodians.