Monday, March 25, 2013

Properly Titling Self-Directed 401k Brokerage Account




QUESTION: as far as investment, should I try to minimize the possibility of 1099s?  In other words…if I open brokerage/investment accounts should they be 401K accounts (in the name of the self-directed 401K Trust), which, to my knowledge, do not send out 1099s, or will just plain-Jane brokerage accounts work (even in my name) without issue?  If I open 401K accounts and then move money out of them will they then report, I guess on a 1099, the withdrawal?  I’m I making sense here?

ANSWER:  Any account that is opened for holding the self-directed 401k funds must be titled in the name of the 401k using its EIN. Therefore, the brokerage accounts would not by tilted in your personal name but rather in the name of the self-directed 401k. If titled in your name directly, adverse tax implications will develop. Further, when establishing brokerage accounts for the self-directed 401k, special brokerage forms apply which your self-directed 401k provider can provide along with a cover letter. By proceeding in this fashion, no taxable implications or 1099 reporting arises when making investments as the investments will be titled in the name of the self-directed 401k.

 Regards,

No comments:

Post a Comment