The Basic FAQs

Answers to some of the most frequently asked investing questions (FAQs) about IRAs, self directed IRA, Roth IRA and related investments.

GENERAL

• What does Quest Trust Company, Inc. do?
• Who is H. Quincy Long and why do I care?
• What is the difference between a “self-directed IRA” and a regular IRA?
• Which types of IRAs does Quest Trust Company offer?
• How much can I contribute to my IRA?
• What kinds of investments can be made in an Quest Trust Company self-directed IRA?
• As a real estate professional, how can knowledge about self-directed IRAs put money in my pocket now?
• Is it really legal to buy real estate in your IRA?

GETTING STARTED

• How do I open a self-directed IRA?
• How long does it take to open an account?
• What are the different ways I can fund my Quest Trust Company Account?
• How are my funds protected?
• What Fees Will I incur with my Self-Directed IRA?
• Who can I name as a Beneficiary to my IRA?
• Will My Will or Trust Override Who I list As My Beneficiary?
• When Does My Spouse Need to Sign the Beneficiary Form?

REAL ESTATE

• How fast can Quest Trust Company purchase an investment?
• How can I take funds out of my IRA to buy Real Estate, without having to pay taxes and penalties?
• What are the differences between buying real estate personally and buying real estate with my IRA?
• Can my IRA purchase Real Estate I currently own?
• Are the gains or income taxable from IRA Real Estate investments?
• Can my IRA make loans to others who want to buy Real Estate?
• Can I partner with my IRA or with other peoples IRAs?
• I only have a small IRA.  How can I buy real estate?
• Can an IRA buy debt-financed property?
• Can I use my IRA funds to buy a foreclosed property?
• If I am a Realtor, can I receive a commission for property bought or sold by my IRA?
• Can I cut the funding check directly to the seller and then get reimbursed?
• Can I receive a fee for managing property owned by my IRA?
• Can I live or work in a property my IRA owns?
• Can I collect the rents for my IRA rental property?

UBIT/UDFI

• Is it really legal to buy real estate in an IRA?
• Can my IRA buy real estate with a loan or take over a property subject to an existing loan?
• Where can I get a non-recourse loan for my IRA?
• Is there any tax effect of having an IRA own debt financed real estate?
• If the profits from an investment are taxable to an IRA, does that mean it is prohibited?
• But if an investment is taxable, why do it in the IRA?
• If the IRA pays a tax, and then it is distributed to me and taxed again, isn’t that double taxation?
• If the IRA makes an investment subject to tax, who pays the tax?
• What form does the IRA file if it owes taxes?
• What is the tax rate that IRA’s must pay?
• Is there any way to get around paying this tax?
• Where can I find out more information?

See below for more information:

• Top 10 Things You Need to Know About Self-Directed IRAs

  There is a lot of confusion over self-directed IRAs and what is and is not possible. In this article I will discuss some of the most important things you need to know about self-directed IRAs.   1) IRAs Can Purchase Almost Anything. A common misconception about IRAs is that purchasing anything other ...

• How to Streamline Private Loans in your SDIRA with Quest Supervisor Robyn Ruston

  Thank you for joining me today. I have Quest’s Dallas Office Supervisor and transaction specialist Robyn Ruston here with me today. She’s an expert when it comes to almost anything involving real estate, notes, or private entity purchases. Today, we are going to be talking about how to streamline the ...

• Buying Real Estate in Your IRA

  1.  Who is H. Quincy Long and why do I care? H. Quincy Long, who holds the designation of CISP (Certified IRA Services Professional), is CEO/President of Quest Trust Company, Inc., a self-directed IRA third party administrator with offices in Houston, Dallas, and Austin, Texas as well as Mason, Michigan.  Mr. Long has ...

• Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Debt Financed Real Estate in an IRA

  Good news!  You can buy real estate in your traditional, Roth, SEP, or SIMPLE IRA, your 401(k), your Coverdell Education Savings Account for the kids, and even in your Health Savings Account.  Even better, your IRA can borrow the money for the purchase or even take over a property subject ...

• Why Your IRA May Owe Taxes: To Pay or Not to Pay? – That is the Question

  By: H. Quincy Long A. Introduction Many people are surprised to learn that, as discussed below, there are 2 ways in which an IRA or 401(k) investment in an entity may cause the retirement plan to owe tax on its income or profits from that investment. This does not necessarily mean that ...