What to Know When Establishing a Self-Directed IRA

By Georgetown Trust

Retirement_Planning

The benefits of an SDIRA, or self-directed individual retirement account, are abundant. To start, an SDIRA puts your financial future back into your own hands, giving you greater control over your assets and your options for investment moving forward.

In addition, an SDIRA may have beneficial tax implications and offer greater geographic diversity to your holdings. Clearly, an SDIRA can be advantageous, which might mean that you're ready to get started with your own right away.

In order to ensure you establish the right SDIRA and make the most of this investment vehicle, be sure to pay close attention to the details outlined below.

Location, Location, Location!

In many ways, an SDIRA functions just like the more traditional IRA. However, one way that it can differ is by rolling it into an LLC, and in particular an offshore LLC.

Whether you stick with an SDIRA or an SDIRA/LLC, location plays a big role. When choosing a jurisdiction for your investment, top things to look for will include low or nonexistent tax rates, limited intervention from regulatory bodies or government agencies, security for assets and impenetrable privacy laws.

You'll have a variety of location options to choose from, but one may stand out: Nevis. A Nevis LLC may be exempt from some IRS regulations, giving you greater profits, less financial erosion and greater freedoms. 

The Right Custodian Matters

On paper, your SDIRA will be run by a custodian who manages all of the investments held within the SDIRA according to the wishes you outline at the establishment of the investment vehicle.

It goes without saying that finding the right custodian is hugely important. Not only do you want someone trustworthy and with a history of great financial success, you should pick someone who can cooperate with you and give you freedom to oversee and even manage your own SDIRA.

A cooperative custodian can make all the difference, allowing you to feel secure in your financial future. Moving from a traditional IRA to an SDIRA/LLC with a cooperative custodian could be as straightforward as liquidating assets and filling out a direct rollover certification form to place them under the control of your new custodian.

Investment Opportunities are Diverse

If you have plans to create an SDIRA, then spend some time getting to know the diverse investment opportunities available through it.

An SDIRA does more than simply allow you to invest in any stocks or bonds that you want; it allows you to invest in nearly anything at all that you can imagine!

You might be able to venture into the world of international corporate real estate, precious metals, timber or venture capitalism. The world becomes your market, and you can diversify your holdings to mitigate risk and reduce vulnerability as needed.

Regulations Have to be Carefully Navigated

With a cooperative custodian for your SDIRA, your investment opportunities can seem endless. However, there are some guidelines and regulations that you'll want to be aware of. 

For instance, you can't purchase real estate that you live in yourself as an investment. You could, however, rent it out to someone without a hereditary connection to you, like a brother-in-law. 

If you're ready to take the reins of your financial future and your retirement account, then establishing an SDIRA might be the right step. Make sure you choose the perfect location and work with a cooperative custodian who can help you make the most of your assets.

Take Control of Your Investments with a Self-Directed IRA

Topics: Self-directed IRA