How can I use self-directed IRA money to participate in internet auctions for tax-lien certificates?

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investor8406 asked:

I’m trying to get started in investing in tax-lien certificates using money in my self-directed IRA. I’d like to try participating in online auctions for county tax sales, but many of them require you to deposit some sort of “down payment” as good faith money. Does anyone know if/how I can get the money from my IRA for my deposit, so that my IRA completely holds the entire interest in these assets? Thanks in advance for your help.

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Tags: Assets, Good Faith, Internet Tax, Ira Money, Self Directed Ira

December 17th, 2008 |

Tags: Assets, Good Faith, Internet Tax, Ira Money, Self Directed Ira

3 Responses to “How can I use self-directed IRA money to participate in internet auctions for tax-lien certificates?”

1. fsfa
   December 19th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
   

   You need to find a custodian that allows that. Do a google search as I don’t know any names, but they’re out there.

   
   
2. Michael K
   December 22nd, 2008 at 5:54 am
   

   It’s a bad idea to use IRA money for speculation in tax liens because withdrawls from the IRA are taxable as ordinary income plus a 10% penalty, and it would be difficult if not impossible to structure the payment for the tax certificate so it would not become a ‘withdrawl’. Also, you can’t borrow in an IRA so completing the transaction (i.e., obtaining a mortgage) would be in your name, not in the name of the custodian of the IRA. Also, the tax advantages of owning real estate (deduction of the mortgage interest) would be wasted in an IRA, which is already tax-exempt. The idea doesn’t make much sense.

   
   
3. Eggolas M
   December 22nd, 2008 at 9:29 am
   

   If you really want to do this, then I suggest that you begin by reading the available information very carefully.

   But yes, owning a tax lien certificate is not a prohibited transaction by itself:

   14. In addition to real estate what investments can my IRA funded LLC purchase?

   Limited liability companies, real estate commercial and residential, commercial paper, tax lien certificates, promissory notes, corporate debt offerings, trust deeds/mortgages, commodities and futures, mutual funds, stocks, bonds, annuities, limited liability partnerships, hunt lease investments, race car investments, treasuries, bank CDs, timberland investments, currency exchange, timeshares, real estate options, and much more.

   So, according to this website, it’s available to an IRA LLC.

   You have some reading to do.