Category: General Self Directed IRA

Evaluating Self-Directed IRA assets with fair market valuation

As we near the end of the year, if you’ve invested in a Self-Directed IRA, it’s time to start thinking about the annual required task of filling out a Fair Market Valuation form (FMV) for each asset in your account.  This annual task is so important for Self-Directed IRAs, and we’re here to help you…


Did you know you can self-direct a Health Savings Account?

If you’re looking for a smarter way to invest for the future, consider self-directing a Health Savings Account (HSA) which offers tax benefits, portability, and flexibility you can benefit from in the years to come. IRA Innovations can help you set up an HSA as the administrator of your account. You will have the opportunity…


Focus on education with a Self-Directed Coverdell savings account

As kids head back to school and their thoughts turn to word problems and math tests, you as a parent, grandparent, or other interested friend or relative may turn your thoughts to how you can be more involved in planning for their future education. A Self-Directed Coverdell Education Savings Account (CESA) may be a good…


You asked, we answered: Self-Directed IRA FAQs

In working with many clients over the years, we have heard a lot of the same questions asked about Self-Directed IRAs. We are always happy to answer questions related to the administration of your account, and it’s our goal to make sure someone at our offices answers the phone when you call.  In this post,…


The win-win option: investing in private companies

Using a Self-Directed IRA to invest in private companies is a choice many of our IRA Innovations clients make. Why? There are many reasons, but it often has to do with the realization that companies like Facebook, Google, Disney, LifeLock, and HP started out as private entities. These went on to become giants in the…


Education is key to avoiding mistakes with Self-Directed IRA investments

Using a Self-Directed IRA comes with considerable freedom to select what you invest in, which is a huge benefit! Maybe you are interested in real-estate related assets, investing in private companies, or making loans with your Self-Directed IRA. These options and many more are possible. This is why education is so important, which is something…


How will the newly passed SECURE Act impact your Self-Directed IRA?

If you are interested in Self-Directed IRAs, or if you already have one, you may have been following the news about the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (SECURE Act). The Act was signed into law in December of 2019, and most provisions in the law went into effect on January…


Taking control of your retirement account: switching a 401(k) to a Self-Directed IRA

Have you recently left one employer to start a new job with another? Have you retired recently? If so, did you leave a former 401(k) behind? In these types of  situations, it’s not uncommon for 401(k)s to stay behind with the previous employer’s custodian.  Employer-sponsored 401(k) plans typically include traditional  investment options: stocks, bonds, mutual…


What you need to know about updates to IRS Publication 590

IRS Publication 590 for individual retirement arrangements (IRAs) refers to an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) document that outlines and elaborates on rules for IRAs. The IRS publishes Form 590 to provide information about setting up IRAs, how to contribute to them, how much may be contributed, how to treat distributions, and how to take tax…


Self-directed IRA investing: Who are disqualified persons?

Many of our clients say that the thing they love most about self-directing their IRA is that they have so much freedom to choose what they invest in. Whether it’s real estate related assets, investing in private companies, or making loans, the freedom, flexibility, and extensive options are huge benefits. Even with so much freedom…