Solo 401(k), better known as the individual 401(k) plan works as a traditional 401(k) plan, however the only difference is that this plan is eligible for self-employed individuals or simply business owners who do not have any full-time employees. A result of various benefits and so ease and comfort it offers to the individuals a number of people are choosing this plan over other investment options. If you've got specific questions cropping up in your mind, read on. This article answers some of the most faq about solo 401(k) plan.

What is a solo 401(k) plan?

401(k) plans are approved since qualified retirement plans by Internal revenue service. As you can understand by the name itself, solo 401(k) plans are planned for individuals. In this plan, a self-employed person may make contribution both as the employer and so the employee and so the contribution limitations have grown high in this plan. Which means that by simply opening such an account you will gain considerable tax and even saving advantages as contributions to solo 401(k) plans is 100% tax deductible.

Who is eligible to invest in a solo 401(k) plan?

Solo 401(k) is made for individuals who're self-employed or even own a small-business corporation but do not have any full-time employees other than your spouse. In case, you do have a part-time employee which works less than 1,000 hours a year, you can still select a solo 401(k) plan. Though, if you're planning to hire employees soon, you cannot prefer this plan.

How much contribution can you make in a solo 401k plan?

As stated by the new 2012, solo 401(k) rules, a participant who isn't yet of 50 years can make a max contribution of up to $50,thousand. Though, those who're over 50 years can make a contribution of up to $55,500. The yearly contributions are flexible in nature which means your contribution could be increased, decreased or simply stopped on a year by year basis.

When will i get access to my investments in solo 401(k)?

As in any other retirement plan you're likely stay invested till you reach age 59 1/2. For those who take out early you'll be slapped with an early withdrawal penalty of 10%. Though, there are actually certain acceptable hardship instances for withdrawal on which no fee is applied. You could take out early as well as penalty-free for purchasing your first home, to fund higher education, to make payments for avoiding eviction or foreclose to pay for the expenses in case you suffer sudden disability.

Will my investments be subject to taxes?

Within regular solo 401(k) plan your money grows tax-deferred. Though, your hard earned money will be taxed during the time of withdrawal. In case, you opt for a Roth version, you will need to put in after-tax amount now, and yet your money will still grow tax free. Within the Roth 401(k), your money is therefore not taxed at the time of withdrawal. The Roth variant is preferred by people who assume that the tax bracket may go up considerably in the time withdrawal.

Am I qualified to receive loans with my solo 401(k) plan?

You are entitled tax free loans with a solo 401(k) plan. You may take a loan up to half of the total value of the solo 401(k) still up to a maximum of $50,000. This is one of the key benefits of solo 401(k) plans as IRS guidelines don't permit loans with IRAs, SEP IRAs, or even Keogh (Money Purchase/Profit Sharing Plans).

How can I at first fund my solo 401k plan? 

As in the case of self-directed IRA LLC, to fund the solo 401(k) at the start you might rollover funds from previous employer 401(k) plans, traditional IRAs, SEP Plans,

Money Purchase plans, Profit Sharing plans, Keogh plans, Defined Benefit plans, 403(b) plans and so rollover IRAs on a tax-free basis. This can be achieved simply by setting up a Trust account for the solo 401(k) and afterwards directly transferring the funds from the existing Custodian to the trust bank account. You possibly can open the trust account at any local bank or credit union.

Can anyone assist me set up and so control my account?

Dealing with 401(k) plans require substantial amount of paperwork. In case your account balance is alot more than a specific amount, you would definitely require to file a special tax return.

One can find number of financial advisory companies which will let you establish and so administer a solo 401(k) plan affordably and even conveniently. Select a reputed company that guides you about the implications of opening a solo 401(k) plan and so enable you to derive the most benefits out of it.

Essentials of Self-Directed 401(k)

A 401(k) is a savings strategy provided by company wherein workers have the option to invest portion of their earnings for retirement living benefits. Certain employers also make a related matching contribution in the 401(k) plan. A traditional 401(k) provides a minimal menu of investment alternatives and also in the majority of scenario it really is confined to selected stocks, CD's and furthermore mutual funds. Those investors who want to make use of their understanding of investing in alternate assets to further increase returns of their retirement plan have the option to use the power of self-directed 401(k) likewise known as solo 401(k). Under this plan, you may as well invest in foreign exchange, real estate, tax liens and also precious metals. In case there is a solo 401(k) the buyer actively handles and furthermore directs the investments made under the 401(k). Self-directed 401(k) are permitted under the IRS, although awareness level is little and eligibility criteria limits the number of self-directed 401(k).

Eligibility for Establishing a Self-Directed 401(k) 

A self-directed 401(k) will be setup by way of a small business owner, where there are either simply no employees or employees if any are members of the immediate family. Therefore a self-directed 401(k) is available to the people engaged in self employment activity and having no full-time employees

Contribution Limits in a Self-Directed 401(k)

A self-directed 401(k) at the same time allows for a higher share limit. The user can act as both employer and employee and thereby is allowed higher limits of yearly contribution compared to other plans. The overall contributions can be as high as $50,000 for business owners aged lower than 50 and even $55,500 for business owners age 50 and up.

Tax Benefits under a Self-Directed 401(k)x

Just like case of traditional 401(k) retirement plan, the portion of your earnings that is invested in a self-directed 401(k) is exempt from tax liability. The tax liability is deferred to the time when you decide to take away funds from the account. Because tax liabilities are deferred, you save much more out of your earnings, compared to you'll if you'd not invested in a 401(k) plan. With a self-directed 401(k) you may direct these savings into much more promising investment avenues to earn superior earnings. These savings would compound over your life time to provide you a comfy retirement life.

Tax Exemption in case of Leveraged Investment in Real Estate

If an buyer in an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) purchase real estate using debt, he'll have to pay out taxes on the extent of revenue that's due to investments made utilizing debt.  This is not the case with a solo 401(k) plan. The buyer can make use of debt to make real estate investment, without having to pay tax on the income that may be due to the investment made using debt.

Principles to Remember while Investing in a Self-Directed 401(K)

An investor should make sure that all his investment transactions are done at arm's length. This means that a related party should not be a seller or buyer. A few examples of related person include employee or simply a member of the family of the account holder, or a trustee of the 401(k) account. Any sort of deal with a related person is prohibited plus is responsible to penalties.