If you talk to the average CPA, he'll tell you that UBIT is the boogeyman and is to be avoided... always. Discussing this topic with an above average CPA (such as Eric Wikstrom of Integrated Wealth Strategies) yields different advice. The Two Types of UBIT Triggered from a trade or business - if a … [Read more...] about Unrelated Business Income Tax – UBIT for Solo 401(k) & IRA accounts
Real Estate
Self Directed IRA/401k vs. 1031 and other conventional RE tax strategies
Conventional Tax Strategies for Real Estate Many real estate investors boast of their tax strategy as involving one or more of the following: Depreciation - This is a tax concept where the property owner pretends that his property is decreasing in value. For residential real estate, it assumes that … [Read more...] about Self Directed IRA/401k vs. 1031 and other conventional RE tax strategies
Landlording your IRA LLC's properties – Is it allowed?
A question I get all the time is "Can I personally mow the lawn, maintain, and/or repair properties owned by my IRA LLC?" My answer is "No" which usually creates the response "But another company said I could." First, let's summarize that the accountholder/participant of a retirement plan generally … [Read more...] about Landlording your IRA LLC's properties – Is it allowed?
Borrowing money from your Solo 401(k)
Solo 401(k)'s most touted feature is its uniquely large annual contribution limits ($46k - $102k). A lesser known feature may be just as useful for some: participant loans. What is a participant loan? A Solo 401(k) participant can borrow up to either $50,000 or 50% of their account value with the … [Read more...] about Borrowing money from your Solo 401(k)
Loaning money to your IRA/401(k)
Do you have an IRA/401k-owned investment property that has a mortgage and negative cash flow? Something I've been running into lately is Self Directed plan investors who speculatively bought a house or condo in previously hot markets (think Vegas, Florida, Phoenix, etc). Some of these areas have … [Read more...] about Loaning money to your IRA/401(k)
Beating the Bubble Mentality
I recently talked to a real estate investor friend online who I have known for about 4 years. He started investing in the height of the housing bubble, and now I think he's finding it difficult to shed the "bubble mentality". In our conversation I did my best to cause him to question his perspective … [Read more...] about Beating the Bubble Mentality
Consumer confidence falling & the $600 checks to save the day
Did you get your $600 check yet? What will you do with it? Surveys are saying that most Americans will use their "Economic Stimulus" check to deal with gas, food, and catching up on bills. This doesn't stimulate the economy. Consumer spending stimulates the economy. In other words, the Department … [Read more...] about Consumer confidence falling & the $600 checks to save the day
Forced Appreciation
There's a questionnaire that I go through with my new customers over the phone, and in it I ask if forced appreciation is part of their investment strategy. Often I hear a response of "huh?" Forced appreciation belongs mostly to the world of commercial real estate. It's natural for the new real … [Read more...] about Forced Appreciation