IRA Financial Group, the leading provider of Self-Directed IRA LLC and Solo 401(k) Plan solutions, announces a specially designed Self-Directed IRA LLC solution for hard money lenders looking to generate tax-deferred or tax-free returns. Because most financial institutions continue to require solid credit scores and spend weeks reviewing financial statements, tax returns, and business plans, there is a growing need for quick financing for many individuals, small businesses, and investors, especially real estate developers, and builders for their real estate projects. As a result, IRA Financial Group has partnered with the IRA Financial Trust Company to design a special Checkbook Control Self-Directed IRA LLC program designed specifically for hard money lenders.
As a result of the very strong demand from hard money lenders to have more control over the loan process, we have developed a special Self-Directed IRA LLC solution specifically tailored for the hard money lender investor. Because of the very limited amount of financing available to most individuals and small businesses, many hard money lenders are eager to use their IRA or 401(k) funds to make loans and generate tax-deferred income or gains.
A Self-Directed IRA LLC offers one the ability to use his or her retirement funds to make almost any type of investment on their own without requiring the consent of any custodian or person in a tax-efficient manner. The IRS only describes the types of investments that are prohibited, which are very few. The main advantage of using a Self-Directed IRA LLC to make hard money loans is that the loan can be made by simply writing a check. In addition, all income and gains associated with the Self-Directed IRA hard money loan would grow tax deferred.
With IRA Financial Group’s Self-Directed IRA hard money lending solution, traditional IRA or Roth IRA funds can be used to make secured or unsecured private loans to small business owners or home builders.
The Self-Directed IRA for hard money investors is an IRS-approved structure that allows one to use their retirement funds to make hard money loans, either secured or unsecured, to any non-disqualified third party by simply writing a check. The Self-Directed IRA LLC involves the establishment of a limited liability company (“LLC”) that is owned by the IRA (care of the IRA custodian) and managed by the IRA holder or any third party. As manager of the IRA LLC, the IRA owner will have control over the IRA assets to make traditional as well as non-traditional investments, such as hard money loans by simply writing a check.
Additionally, a Solo 401(k) can be used for hard money loans.
IRA Financials Solo 401k allows you to use your retirement funds to invest in all types of debt instruments and products directly from your mobile device or PC securely and cost-effectively. You no longer need a third-party custodian involved in every aspect of your investment transaction. Buy, sell, or exchange notes on your own directly from a mobile device or PC with IRA Financial’s Solo 401(k). Rollover, deposit, or transfer funds between your investment and 401(k) seamlessly and without delay.
Learn More: Tips for Making Investment with a Solo 401(k)
Why Notes/Hard Money Loans
In general, a note (or promissory note as it’s often called) is simply a promise to pay. Anytime one lends a third-party money, a document is created that dictates the terms of the loan that says you will pay someone back. A note can either be secured or unsecured. Some examples of common notes are:
- Mortgage Loans
- Personal Loans
- Business Loans
- Real Estate Loan (Hard Money Loans)
- Treasury Notes
- Peer-to-Peer Loans
Related: Tips for Making Investments with a Solo 401(k)
Secured or Unsecured Notes
When it comes to notes, it’s important to understand the idea of secured vs. unsecured notes.
A secured note essentially means that if someone defaults on the loan, the lender receives something in return as payback. The note is “collateralized.” In the case of a mortgage, the loan is collateralized against the actual home. If you default on your mortgage payments, the bank will foreclose on the property and take ownership.
On the other hand, if you fail to repay a non-secured-backed note, the lender has no legal recourse against the borrower. No collateral is repossessed or foreclosed.
Therefore, when making note investments with a Solo 401k, it is important to consider whether the loan will be secured or unsecured. Clearly, a secured loan offers the borrower more security and protection in the case of a borrower default.
Learn More: Alternative Investments in an IRA
Hard Money Loans
A hard money loan is simply a loan that is backed or secured by an asset, such as real estate. For example, a real estate developer who wants to develop a property seeks out investors to help finance the project. Since 2008, for many small real estate developers or general partners, acquiring bank financing in these circumstances still remains quite difficult.
Hence, the real estate developer or general partner may then look to secure a loan from a hard money lender, such as a solo 401(k) investor who is willing to give them the money that is secured by the underlying real estate asset(s) connected with the real estate project. If the borrower defaults on their loan, the lender would have the legal rights to the real estate secured by the loan.
Related: Gold IRA Rollovers
Peer-To-Peer Loans
The Peer-to-peer lending industry has increased in popularity significantly over the last 10 years. Peer-to-peer lending platforms such as Lending Club and Prosper allow investors to invest in notes offered by the site.
Under a traditional peer-to-peer lending platform, borrowers are matched directly with investors through a lending platform. Investors can see and select exactly which loans they want to fund. Peer-to-peer loans are most commonly personal loans or small business loans. The majority of peer-to-peer loans are not secured, or asset-backed.
Small Business Loans
When small business or start-up businesses need working capital or seed capital, it is common to look for investors to either invest in the company in the form of equity (stock) or debt (loan). In most cases, if a small business cannot acquire financing through a bank they may have to seek out private investors, such as solo 401(k) investors. Small business loans can either be secured or unsecured.
Tax Advantages
The advantage of using retirement funds to invest in notes or hard money loans investments is that all the income and gains generated by the debt investment would not be subject to any tax or penalty. Instead of paying tax on the returns, such as interest, associated with the debt investment, tax is paid at a later date, leaving the investment to grow unhindered. Using a pocket 401k for notes/loans is tax advantageous. The tax on the interest payments can be deferred in the case of a pre-tax 401(k) or exempted permanently in the case of a Roth 401(k).
In addition, solo 401(k) investments are made when a person is earning higher income and is taxed at a higher tax rate. Withdrawals are made from an investment account when a person is earning little or no income and is taxed at a lower rate.
Why You Need a Solo 401(k) to Invest in Notes/Loans
Unfortunately, none of the major financial institutions will allow you to use 401(k) plan funds to invest in Notes/Loans or essentially anything outside of Wall Street. The reason for this is simple. Banks do not make money when you invest in non-traditional equities, such as private loans. They make money when you buy stock, mutual funds, and other financial products they market. As a result, a large number of individuals are turning to a Pocket 401k to invest in notes or other debt instruments.
Unrelated Business Taxable Income
In general, almost all retirement account investments generating passive income will not be subject to Unrelated Business Taxable Income (UBTI or UBIT) or Unrelated Debt Finance Income (UDFI) Tax.
The UBTI tax is only triggered if:
- Retirement account uses margin to buy stock
- Retirement account invests in an active business through a passthrough entity, such as an LLC
The UDFI tax is triggered if:
- A 401(k) uses a non-recourse loan (real estate acquisition financing to purchase real estate)
- Exemption for 401(k) plans
- IRC 514(c)(9)
The UBTI & UDFI Trigger the Same Tax Rate
The UBTI and UDFI trigger the same tax rate, which is a maximum of 37% for 2019. Therefore, if you plan to invest into loan/debt related investments using a Pocket 401k and the underlying investment will not involve an investment into a business operated via a passthrough entity, such as an LLC, has debt or margin, then the UBTI tax rules will likely not be triggered.
Your IRA Financial assigned specialist will help you understand the potential application of the UBTI/UDFI tax rules and potentially reduce or eliminate it.
Act Quickly on Investments
With a Solo 401(k), you will have the power to act quickly on a potential investment opportunity. When you find an investment that you want to make with your 401(k) funds, as manager of the Checkbook LLC, simply write a check or wire the funds straight from your Solo 401(k) LLC bank account. The Pocket Real Estate 401(k) allows you to eliminate the delays associated with a custodian, enabling you to act quickly when the right investment opportunity presents itself.
In addition, with the Solo 401(k) structure, all income and gains from 401(k) investments will generally flow back to your LLC tax-free. Because an LLC is treated as a pass-through entity for federal income tax purposes and the 401(k), as the member of the LLC, is a tax-exempt party pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 408, all income and gains of the LLC will flow-through to the 401(k)tax-free!
What is the Solo 401k?
IRA Financial’s Solo 401(k) is an IRS approved structure that allows one to use his or her retirement funds to make debt and other investments tax-free and without custodian consent. Our Solo 401(k) involves the establishment of a limited liability company (“LLC”) that is owned by the 401(k) (care of the custodian) and managed by you or any third-party. As manager of the LLC, you will have control over the 401(k) assets to make the investments you want and understand – not just investments forced upon you by Wall Street.
How it Works:
- Establish solo 401(k) with IRA Financial Trust & Capital One online though our mobile app
- Your 401(k) cash/assets can be rolled over to IRA Financial Trust tax-free directly from our mobile app
- The 401(k) assets will then be transferred to the LLC tax-free in exchange for 100% interest in the LLC
- As manager of the LLC, you will open a bank account for the LLC at any local bank. IRA Financial will draft an LLC Operating Agreement identifying you as manager of the LLC and the 401(k) as the sole member
- You, as manager of the LLC, will then have checkbook control over all the assets/funds in the LLC to make the debt/note investment
Because the LLC is owned 100% by a 401(k), it will be treated as a disregarded entity for tax purposes. There is no need to file a federal income tax return and all income and gains will flow back to the 401(k) without tax.
With our Solo 401(k), you will have the power to act quickly on a potential investment opportunity. When you find an investment that you want to make with your 401(k) funds, as manager of the Checkbook LLC, simply write a check or wire the funds straight from your Solo 401(k) LLC bank account. The Pocket 401(k) allows you to eliminate the delays associated with a custodian, enabling you to act quickly when the right investment opportunity presents itself. In addition, with our Solo 401(k) structure, all income and gains from investments will generally flow back to your LLC tax-free. Because an LLC is treated as a pass-through entity for federal income tax purposes and the 401(k), as the member of the LLC, is a tax-exempt party pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 408, all income and gains of the LLC will flow-through to the 401(k) tax-free!
Most Popular Debt Investments
The following debt investments have been popular with our solo 401(k) clients:
- Hard money loans to real estate investors – secured
- Hard money loans to real estate investors – unsecured
- Private business loans
- Peer-to-peer loan platforms
- Mortgage notes
Did you know a Solo 401(k) also allows you to invest in real estate, cryptocurrencies and more! Contact us today to learn more.
