What is special about the Solo 401k?
High 2022 contribution limits of $61,000 ($67,500 if age 50 or older) as well as the ability to borrow retirement plan assets tax free and penalty free before retirement age using a Solo 401k loan are features that make this self employed retirement plan unique.
Each year the funding of the Solo 401k plan is completely discretionary and flexible. Funding can be increased, decreased, or skipped entirely if necessary. The contribution flexibility of a Solo 401k eliminates potential funding worries if there is a bad business year.
How much can be contributed to a Solo 401k?
In 2022 the maximum Solo 401k contribution limit is $61,000 and $67,500 if age 50 or older. If the spouse is employed by the business and provided there is adequate income, the contribution limits can potentially be doubled.
How is the Solo 401k contribution calculated?
A Solo 401k contribution consists of two parts, an employee salary deferral contribution and an employer profit sharing contribution. In 2022 the maximum allowable salary deferral contribution is $20,500 and $27,000 if age 50 or older (not to exceed 100% of pay). In addition, a profit sharing contribution is permitted equal to 20% of net self employment income for unincorporated businesses or 25% of W-2 income for incorporated businesses. In 2022 the maximum Solo 401k contribution limit is $61,000 and $67,500 if age 50 or older.
Solo 401k contribution calculation for an S or C corporation or an LLC taxed as a corporation.
- Employee Salary Deferral Contribution: In 2022, 100% of compensation up to the maximum of $20,500 and $27,000 if age 50 or older can be contributed to a Solo 401k.
- Employer Profit Sharing Contribution: A profit sharing contribution up to 25% of compensation can be contributed into a Solo 401k.
View examples of Solo 401k Contribution Limits for an S or C corporation or an LLC taxed as a corporation.
Solo 401k contribution calculation for a sole proprietorship, partnership or an LLC taxed as a sole proprietorship.
- Employee Salary Deferral Contribution: These business organizations do not provide a W-2 salary to the business owner. The employee salary deferral contribution is calculated by taking gross self-employment income and then subtracting business expenses and then subtracting 50% of the self-employment tax (this is termed net adjusted business profit). In 2022, 100% of net adjusted business profits income up to the maximum of $20,500 and $27,000 if age 50 or older can be contributed as employee salary deferrals into a Solo 401k.Employer Profit Sharing Contribution: An employer profit sharing contribution can be made up to 20% of net adjusted businesses profit. Net adjusted business profit is calculated by taking gross self-employment income and then subtracting 50% of the self-employment tax.
View examples of Solo 401k Contribution Limits for a sole proprietorship, partnership or an LLC taxed as a sole proprietorship.
How much can I contribute to a Solo 401k based on my income?
To determine the annual retirement contribution you could make based on your income use the Solo 401k Calculator.
Are Roth 401k contributions permitted in a Solo 401k?
Yes, provided the plan document permits Roth contributions. Participants in a Solo 401k can elect to make after-tax or Roth contributions with the salary deferral portion of the Solo 401k. The 2022 salary deferral contribution limit is $20,500 and $27,000 if age 50 or older. Roth contributions are not permitted with the profit sharing portion of a Solo 401k.
Learn more about a Solo Roth 401k.
Who is eligible for a Solo 401k?
An owner only business, an owner and spouse business and partnerships are eligible for a Solo 401k. Independent contractors, self employed individuals and small business owners frequently setup Solo 401k plans.
The business owner must have the presence of self employed activity which generally would include ownership and operation of the business. It is generally believed that the IRS will consider you eligible for a Solo 401k if the business being conducted is a legitimate business that is run with the intention of generating profits.
What type of business entity can setup a Solo 401k?
Sole proprietors such as independent contractors and self employed individuals. Also eligible business entities include partnerships, LLCs, S corporations and C corporations.
Who is ineligible for a Solo 401k?
If a business owner has salaried W-2 employees age 21 or older who work more than 1,000 hours in a calendar year they are ineligible for a Solo 401k. Business owners and their spouse do not apply to the 1,000 hour threshold.
A business owner is still eligible for a Solo 401k if they hire independent contractors who work more than 1,000 hours in a calendar year.
What are the IRS rules about when and how much profit the business must generate before setting up a Solo 401k?
There are no established thresholds for how much profit the business must generate or how soon profits must happen.
What are the IRS rules about how much and when the business owner must make contributions to a Solo 401k?
The intent of the business owner must be to make significant contributions to the Solo 401k plan, however there are no established thresholds regarding how much money is required to be contributed annually. Also there are no IRS rules about how soon contributions must be made after establishing a Solo 401k plan.
I participate in a 401k through my primary employer and I have a part time business. Can I have a Solo 401k for my part time business?
Yes. You are eligible to establish a Solo 401k for a side business even if you participate in a 401k, 403b, 457 or Thrift Savings Plan through your primary employer. It is important to note that contributions made to the employer’s 401k, 403b or Thrift Savings Plan will impact the contributions for the Solo 401k. Contributions to the employer’s 401k, 403b or TSP count towards the 2022 Solo 401k salary deferral limit of $20,500 ($27,000 if age 50 or older). Contributions made into a 457 plan do not count towards the salary deferral limit. In addition to a salary deferral contribution, a business owner can also make contributions to the profit sharing portion of a Solo 401k.
Example: Jennifer is age 40 and works as a W-2 employee for ABC accounting firm and contributes $10,000 to the 401k. In addition to working at the accounting firm, Jennifer is the owner of an S corporation. She is the only employee and pays herself a $100,000 W-2 salary in 2022. Based on this information Jennifer would be eligible to make a contribution of $10,500 in salary deferrals (the $10,000 contribution to the ABC accounting firm 401k counts toward the $20,500 salary deferral limit) plus make a profit sharing contribution of $25,000 (25% of 100,000 W-2 salary) for a total of $35,500 in Solo 401k contributions in 2022.
Are Solo 401k contributions 100% tax deductible?
Yes, salary deferral and profit sharing contributions are generally 100% tax deductible. Roth 401k contributions made with the salary deferral portion of a Solo 401k are not tax deductible.
Subchapter S and C corporations or LLCs electing to be taxed as a corporation can generally deduct the salary deferral contribution from personal W-2 earnings and the profit sharing contribution as a business expense.
A sole proprietorship, partnership or a LLC taxed as a sole proprietorship can generally deduct salary deferral and profit sharing contributions from personal income.
How can I take a loan from a Solo 401k before retirement age?
The Solo 401k is unique because it permits the small business owner to borrow 50% of the funds in the 401k up to a $50,000 maximum. The loan must generally be repaid within 5 years according to an amortization table set up before taking the loan, although a 15 year payback may be permitted if the loan is used for the purchase of a home. The Solo 401k plan document must specifically allow loans. There are no tax consequences if loans are repaid on schedule.
Questions and answers about a Solo 401k Loan.
What investments can be selected in a Solo 401k?
The investments that can be selected within a Solo 401k plan depend on the Solo 401k provider and can be divided into 3 general categories:
- Solo 401k with one mutual fund family.
- Solo 401k with multiple mutual fund families and stock trading.
- Solo 401k investing in real estate, tax liens, gold and other alternative investments.
Learn more about Solo 401k Providers.
Can my spouse contribute to the Solo 401k?
If a spouse is on the payroll and receives a W-2 then they are eligible to contribute to a Solo 401k. Owner and spouse businesses are one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Solo 401k because with sufficient income in 2022 they can potentially contribute $122,000 total or $135,000 if both are age 50 or older.
What happens if my business grows and I need to hire full time employees?
If you anticipate hiring W-2 employees with more than 1000 hours of service in a calendar year this year, then a Solo 401k may not be the appropriate retirement plan for you. If all employees are under age 21 or if the business employs independent contractors the business is eligible. Contact BCM advisor to discuss your retirement options.
What is the deadline for establishing a Solo 401k?
For unincorporated businesses the deadline is the tax filing date of April 15 or October 15 if an extension was filed. For incorporated businesses the deadline is corporate tax filing deadline March 15, plus extensions.
What is the deadline for making salary deferral contributions?
For unincorporated businesses the deadline is the tax filing date of April 15 or October 15 if an extension was filed. For incorporated businesses the deadline is corporate tax filing deadline March 15, plus extensions.
What is the deadline for making profit sharing contributions?
For unincorporated businesses the deadline is the tax filing date of April 15 (or October 15 if an extension was filed). For incorporated businesses the deadline is corporate tax filing deadline March 15, plus extensions.
What are the responsibilities of the plan administrator?
The plan administrator (usually the business owner) must make contributions prior to the deadlines, make timely payments according to the loan amortization schedule if a loan has been taken, and file Form 5500 if plan assets exceed $250,000.
Can I rollover a retirement plan from my ex-employer into the Solo 401k?
Yes. If you have terminated your employment then you can rollover your 401k, 403b, 457 and Thrift Savings Plan into the Solo 401k.
Can I rollover an IRA into the Solo 401k?
Yes you can rollover a Traditional IRA, SEP IRA, Rollover IRA and SIMPLE IRA into the Solo 401k.
Can I rollover a Roth IRA into the Solo Roth 401k?
No. You can’t rollover a Roth IRA into a Solo Roth 401k. IRS rules do not allow a Roth IRA to be rolled over into a Roth 401k.
I have a 401k with a previous employer. I made Roth 401k contributions and the company had a 401k match and a profit sharing contribution. Can I roll over this money into a Solo 401k?
You can rollover the Roth 401k money into a Solo Roth 401k (there is a separate Roth 401k account for after-tax money). The company match and the profit sharing contribution can be rolled over to the pre-tax account portion of the Solo 401k. A direct rollover done is this manner would not be taxed.
Rollovers help consolidate retirement accounts so assets can be easily monitored. Another advantage of rolling over retirement accounts into a Solo 401k is these assets become eligible for a 401k loan. Rollovers are a fast way to build assets in the Solo 401k, assets which are eligible for a 401k loan. 401k loans are permitted up to 50% of the plan assets up to a maximum $50,000 loan.
Learn more about a Solo 401k Rollover.
What type of Solo 401k does BCM setup for clients?
If you search online you will find that several types of Solo 401k plans that are available. Some of these self directed 401k plans allow investors to invest in alternative investments like gold, tax liens and real estate. Some Solo 401k plans allow you to do complex transactions in which you can buy shares of stock in your business. These 401k plans are complex, very expensive (sometimes thousands of dollars to setup and have high annual maintenance fees) and may have potential complications with the IRS.
A simple alternative to these complex plans would be to set up a Solo 401k that uses mutual funds as the investment choice within the 401k. US corporations traditionally have had mutual funds as the investment vehicle within their 401k plan and 401k participants are usually familiar with this type of investment option. A Solo 401k that uses mutual funds as the investment option can be inexpensive administratively. BCM works with several Solo 401k providers, however the Solo 401k we recommend most frequently to our clients costs $0 to setup and $15 annual fee (the $15 fee is waived with a $50,000 balance). The 401k loan fees are $50 application fee and an annual fee of $25. Through this 401k there are 50 mutual funds to choose from ranging from conservative bond mutual funds to aggressive stock mutual funds to accommodate investors based on their age, time horizon and personal risk tolerance. Complete the form below and we would be happy to provide you with information about this Solo 401k.