Self directed IRA

I have a client that purchased a bare lot next door to his personal residence with his IRA. I believe this raises a few red flags. Could you give one or two examples as to why this is not a good idea? If they’re planning on using the property personally, my thought was to have them get a mortgage to purchase the property from the IRA. Is this allowable? If not, we could have the IRA distribute the property and have the client pay the tax bill. He has close to $8 million in ESOP and IRA combined and is over 59.5. Help!



  • Since it would be self-dealing, he would need to obtain a prohibited transaction exemption from the Department of Labor in order to buy the property from his IRA.  I’ve done that a few times.  
  • However, as you point out, it would be easier to distribute it.
  • Bruce Steiner


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