This week has been a tough one to watch for stock investors. As Wall Street buckles in for what appears to be an extremely bumpy ride downward to close out 2018, money experts are telling investors to hang in there. When the markets become volatile, the bad news is that you have essentially missed your

It was difficult to pay attention to anything but the runup to the midterm elections last week, but something very important happened: The IRS raised the annual contribution limits for retirement savings accounts due to cost-of-living adjustments. Beginning next year, the maximum contribution to your individual retirement account (IRA) increases from $5,500 a year to $6,000

The title of his new book is “Driven: The Never-Give-Up Roadmap to Success” (Entrepreneur Press, Sept. 2018), and it is an apt description of author and entrepreneur Manny Khoshbin. His family emigrated from Iran when he was a child; they were nearly homeless shortly after they arrived. His first job in the United States was

Your posts on social media. Your smartphone, your online family tree. Your birthday, ATM password, or credit history. All represent progress through technology. And all can be gateways for people with bad intentions. So, just how safe do you think your digital identity is? The AARP Fraud Watch Network takes your digital identity seriously. With an

Investors have many options when deciding how to direct their IRA funds. One popular asset in which to invest is a property located in a community that’s home to a college or university. Why should you consider investing in a college town? For one thing, there’s a healthy student population providing ample potential tenants to

Bloomberg BNA (Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.) is reporting that an Internal Revenue Service decision allowing an employer to offer a student loan repayment benefit as an element of its retirement plan could open the door to other employers interested in offering similar benefits. The article focuses on a private letter ruling made by the IRS

Are you new to investing and don’t know how to get started? Here are 5 questions to ask yourself to help you create a plan to fit your needs. 5 Questions to Ask Yourself in Crafting an Investing Plan   How much can you afford to invest?  First, determine how much money you can afford

So you’ve been smart and invested wisely in your self-directed IRA to build up a comfortable retirement nest egg. The last thing you want to do in your golden years is to spend your time in a stressful environment, right? Can you guess the most and least stressful places to live? Let’s take a look

When it comes to ultimately using your retirement wealth-building program, whatever it may be – 401(k), IRA, Roth, self-directed plan – what are you dreaming of? For many people, the dream involves an idyllic place to enjoy life after retirement. The key to making that dream reality, of course, is coming up with a smart

As the longest economic recovery in modern history continues – we’re now into Year 10 – I am encountering more and more clients and potential clients worrying that a big market correction, if not an outright recession, is just around the corner. While I don’t have a crystal ball and can’t predict what is on

We hear a lot of potential clients ask, “Which is better: a Roth IRA or traditional IRA? And what’s the difference, anyway?” There are distinct differences between them, not the least of which is the tax advantage that each one affords. And that can translate into hundreds, even hundreds of thousands, of dollars that could

Since most banks don’t allow their IRA clients to purchase real estate through those accounts (because it doesn’t create any profits for the bank), those investors may opt for a self-directed IRA. Next, the investor must decide how to choose between a custodial or checkbook self-directed IRA.

Whichever type you choose, you’ll be able to invest in an asset you actually understand — not only in real estate but also just about anything else other than collectibles or life insurance.

Here are just some of the assets in which you can invest with your self-directed IRA:

• Real Estate
• Tax Liens
• Trust Deeds
• Mortgage Notes
• Stocks & Bonds
• Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
• Precious Metals
• Foreign Currency
• Other Alternative Assets

How to Choose Between a Custodial or Checkbook Self-Directed IRA

With a custodian-controlled self-directed IRA, you are in charge only up to a point. Under this structure, only the IRA Custodian can write checks and pay bills from that account.

With this type account, you direct the Custodian as to what type assets to invest in. But choose carefully, as not every institution may include your chosen asset in its offerings. Many banks and other institutions don’t offer investing in real estate, for example. They may choose to specialize in a specific type of asset instead. It also can be a lengthy process to make your investment when you have a third party involved in the process.

Things move much faster with a checkbook-controlled self-directed IRA. And that is vital for a real estate investor who needs access to funds quickly when coming upon a great deal.

With a checkbook-controlled self-directed IRA, first you set up a limited liability company that is the owner of your self-directed IRA. Next you open a business account in the name of your LLC and the Custodian transfers your assets to that account. Now youare in control, and you can choose what to invest in – within the limits of the law, of course.

With a checkbook-controlled account, you decide what to invest in – and when. Simply write a check. There are no forms, fees or other frustration as with some other types of IRA.

For more information about how self-direction works, see our blog entitled “How Does a Self-Directed IRA Work?”

Even though self-directed IRA investments represent just a slice of the trillions of dollars invested by Americans in Individual Retirement Accounts, that still adds up to billions. And so it’s vital to stay vigilant and beware of investing fraud schemes. A 2011 report by the Investment Company Institute found that U.S. investors held about $4.7

As part of looking out for our clients, we actively monitor numerous resources, including the IRS, through its regular tax tips and newsletters. With this year’s tax filing deadline looming, here’s a recent reminder that’s especially relevant: You still have time to contribute to an IRA and apply that activity to your 2017 return. Anyone

Are you prepared for retirement? The latest measurement of the National Retirement Risk Index (NRRI) shows that “half of today’s households will not have enough retirement income to maintain their pre-retirement standard of living, even if they work to age 65 and annuitize all their financial assets, including the receipts from a reverse mortgage on

With both federal and state tax laws as complicated as they are, many people prefer to leave the details to their own advisers and tax preparers. Others prefer a much more hands-on approach so they know exactly what’s happening to their hard-earned money. To help, we’ll pass along links to sources of tax information we

Should You Use Your IRA to Invest in Bitcoin? You may have noticed the plethora of companies promoting the use of IRAs to invest in bitcoins. Whether that’s a good idea or not continues to be a matter of debate. Much of the conversation centers around whether cryptocurrencies are heading for a dot-com-like bust. Right

Is Your Digital Security at Risk? Probably… Like anyone who hasn’t been in a Rip Van Winkle-like haze for the last decade (at least), I’m concerned about data security in the digital age, both for myself and my clients. So, this news item caught my eye and I wanted to share it. According to a

Update: House and Senate GOP lawmakers announced around midday Wednesday, Dec. 13,2017, that they have agreed on a final tax package. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, did not provide any details of what would be included in the deal, deferring to President Trump to decide when the information will be released. So at this

Many of our rollover clients have used their self-directed IRAs to invest in so-called “vacation properties,” renting out scenic beach-front or mountaintop homes for short or extended periods as a way to generate income. The law is very clear that you can NOT use these properties for your own enjoyment if they have been bought

Data breaches and keeping your sensitive personal and financial information secure seems to be in the news a lot. But the topic is especially top-of-mind at this time of year, as businesses prepare for the end of the year and tax season and as holiday shoppers flood the local malls or their favorite internet sellers.

Does your retirement plan call for a Required Minimum Distribution? If it does but you haven’t yet taken the RMD, the clock is rapidly ticking. You’ll need to calculate and schedule your RMD in plenty of time so you don’t miss the Dec. 31 deadline and face costly penalties. All employer-sponsored retirement plans – including

Do you want to live comfortably in retirement? Of course, we all do – or should! – and that’s why it’s so important to take charge of your investment dollars and make sure they are producing the best return for you. And the Survey Says: Emotions Affect Retirement Goals and Planning Results from a new

Cost-of-Living Adjustments for 401(k) and Other Retirement Plans The Internal Revenue Service recently announced cost-of-living adjustments for certain retirement-related plans applicable for the tax year 2018. The Secretary of the Treasury is required by law — Section 415(d) of the Internal Revenue Code — to adjust the dollar limitations for cost-of-living increases on benefits and contributions

Can You Roll Over an Inherited IRA? So you’ve inherited an IRA … what now? First, do not do anything rash, such as rushing to cash out this financial “windfall.” That will most certainly result in huge tax consequences, no matter what your status as the beneficiary. The smart thing to do is consult a

Once you have established your self-directed IRA, you may be amazed at the multitude of possibilities for assets in which you can invest. By far, real estate leads the pack. But even that is a broad category. Within real estate, you could invest in single-family rentals, multifamily, vacation homes, larger apartment buildings, self-storage facilities, and

How Does A Self-Directed IRA Work? Let’s discuss how a self-directed IRA can work, and especially one for real estate The first step in investing with a self-directed IRA for real estate is choosing a provider. For the purposes of this discussion, a provider is an entity or group of entities that includes custodial and

Are Canadians that different than those of us in the U.S. when it comes to thoughts — and plans — about retirement? Just-released research from the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) suggests that many Ontarians are basing their retirement nest-egg growth hopes on speculation that their homes are going to continue to appreciate. While looking at

Clients and friends: We are happy to share the following news release from the IRS regarding hardship distributions to victims of Hurricane Harvey: Retirement Plans Can Make Loans, Hardship Distributions to Victims of Hurricane Harvey WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today (Aug. 30, 2017) announced that 401(k)s and similar employer-sponsored retirement plans can make