All posts by Warren Baker

Sorry, but UBTI losses from IRA (still!) don’t “flow through” to your individual tax return

Recent News, Self Directed IRA, Tax

As you have written about extensively on this blog and within other “self-directed IRA” related articles, one of the key legal matters that SDIRAs face is “unrelated business taxable income” (UBTI) – i.e., current tax from the SDIRA’s investments.  Generically speaking, UBTI occurs in two situations: (1) the SDIRA earns income (directly or through a … Continue reading Sorry, but UBTI losses from IRA (still!) don’t “flow through” to your individual tax return →

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They’re BACK! … GAO conducting a third study of SDIRA marketplace

Recent News, Self Directed IRA, Tax, ,

Earlier this week, I had my third official interview with the Government Accountability Office (GAO).  First, a little history…I was first contacted by the GAO in late 2013, for a study they had been asked to conduct ((by Senator Ron Wyden, D-OR) on so-called “Large Balance IRAs” (a real “eye of the beholder” term!).  This … Continue reading They’re BACK! … GAO conducting a third study of SDIRA marketplace →

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Quoted in Forbes piece on Roth IRA/LLC case (Block Developers, LLC v. Commissioner)

Recent News, Self Directed IRA, Tax

  There has been some rumbling (at least in my world) over the past few weeks regarding another Tax Court dealing with Roth IRAs and “excess contribution” issues.  The case, Block Developers, LLC v. Commissioner, involves four family members (father, mother, two children) that formed Roth IRAs and attempted to shift income that would otherwise … Continue reading Quoted in Forbes piece on Roth IRA/LLC case (Block Developers, LLC v. Commissioner) →

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Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Recent News, Self Directed IRA, Tax

I am very pleased to announce that the article I co-authored with the esteemed Natalie B. Choate (“The Care and Feeding of Large IRAs” – Trusts & Estates magazine, December 2016) has won the Distinguished Author “Thought Leadership” Award.  More information regarding this award can be found here: http://www.wealthmanagement.com/estate-planning/2017-trusts-estates-distinguished-authors-awards Might need to make an appearance in NYC … Continue reading Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! →

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Trusts & Estates Thought Leadership Award Nominee Announcement

Recent News, Self Directed IRA, Tax,

  I am honored to announce that the article I co-authored with esteemed tax attorney Natalie B. Choate, entitled “The Care and Feeding of Large IRAs“, has been selected by Trusts & Estates magazine’s editorial team for a “Thought Leadership award”.  A survey will be sent (via email) on Thursday, June 1st to all Trusts & … Continue reading Trusts & Estates Thought Leadership Award Nominee Announcement →

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Rinse and repeat: will tax reform lead to more retirement account “revenue” tricks?

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I was recently reading an article by Mark Miller (columnist for Reuters), entitled “Will Republicans fund tax cuts by tapping retirement piggy bank?” (see his complete article at the bottom of this post), and it reminded me of an article I wrote in 2010 related to in-plan 401k Roth conversions and the way in which … Continue reading Rinse and repeat: will tax reform lead to more retirement account “revenue” tricks? →

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Quoted in Wall Street Journal article on UBTI (“Are Taxes Lurking in Your Tax-Free Retirement Account?”)

Recent News, Self Directed IRA, ,

Many IRA investors are completely unaware that an IRA’s investments (whether made out of a “Traditional” or Roth IRA) can potentially produce currently taxable income to the IRA itself – resulting in both tax to the IRA, but also a special tax return filing (Form 990-T).  In the “self-directed IRA” world, this is particularly a problem … Continue reading Quoted in Wall Street Journal article on UBTI (“Are Taxes Lurking in Your Tax-Free Retirement Account?”) →

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2017 “Rising Star” (by Super Lawyers) list announced

Recent News

  I was honored to receive a notification today that I have been named to the “2017 Washington Rising Star” list.  Although this designation feels partially like a way for Super Lawyers (the publication that makes these selections) to try and sell me advertising, I still appreciate the sentiment [although, truth be told, the real … Continue reading 2017 “Rising Star” (by Super Lawyers) list announced →

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New GAO Report: “Retirement Security: Improved Guidance Could Help Account Owners Understand the Risks of Investing in Unconventional Assets”

Recent News, Self Directed IRA, ,

I received an email a few minutes ago from a Government Accountability Officer regarding the public release of the GAO’s brand new report on self-directed retirement vehicles entitled “Retirement Security:  Improved Guidance Could Help Account Owners Understand the Risks of Investing in Unconventional Assets“.  I was interviewed for this report – way back in November … Continue reading New GAO Report: “Retirement Security: Improved Guidance Could Help Account Owners Understand the Risks of Investing in Unconventional Assets” →

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Publication Notice: “The Care & Feeding of Large IRAs” (Trusts & Estates Magazine, Dec. 2016)

Recent News, Self Directed IRA, , ,

I am thrilled to announce the publication of my collaboration article with Natalie Choate, Esq. (a prolific writer and presenter in the area of retirement benefits), entitled “The Care & Feeding of Large IRAs“.  This article was published in Trusts & Estates Magazine on December 1, 2016.  A virtual copy of the magazine can be found … Continue reading Publication Notice: “The Care & Feeding of Large IRAs” (Trusts & Estates Magazine, Dec. 2016) →

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