USA Today: “A self-directed IRA allows you to invest in things other than securities registered with state or federal authorities. For example, you can use the assets in a self-directed IRA to buy a rental property, or even as the down payment for a mortgage on a rental property. There are restrictions, however, on self-dealing: You can’t rent the place to yourself, for example. And you must have a qualified third-party custodian for the IRA. Self-dealing restrictions on investing in small businesses — especially sole proprietorships — are also complex, and you should see a tax lawyer before you put IRA money into a small business. ‘Self-directed IRAs have helped fund thousands of small businesses that otherwise wouldn’t be there, says Tom Anderson, president of the Retirement Industry Trust Association, a trade group.”
