Start the Business of Your Dreams Using Guidant Financial's ROBS 401(k) (2024)

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Guidant Financial. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you’re looking to launch your dream business, Guidant Financial needs to be your first stop for funding advice on how to launch or buy a business without the need for any outside loans, credit lines, rich relatives or investor money; we’re talking debt-free 401(k) Business Financing.What is this funding option, you may ask?

Start the Business of Your Dreams Using Guidant Financial's ROBS 401(k) (1)

Well, Guidant Financial specializes in helping people use their 401(K) and other eligible pre-tax retirement funds to launch a new business tax penalty-free. Rather than leaving your 401(k) or IRA invested in stocks and bonds, you get to roll those funds into your business. This allows you for once to control the company you are invested in, relying on your unique skills and ideas to grow your net worth and earn a salary at the same time. These funds can be made available within weeks, so you can start that business you’ve always been dreaming of in no time. This is the essence of 401(k) Business Financing, also known as Rollovers for Business Start-ups (ROBS). Now, let’s get into a little more detail about what makes this possible and how it works.

Table of Contents

How long has 401(k) Business Financing been around?

401(k) Business Financingallows you to access rollable 401(k) funds, tax penalty-free, to buy a business or franchise. The United States government put this into law back in 1974 when the Employee Retirement Income Security Act was passed.

This law allows entrepreneurs the opportunity to use their current accrued retirement funds to start their own business, rather than going into massive debt with loans and interest payments that can weigh a business down. Best of all, you’re investing in your business from day one. Nobody else will have a say in how you start and grow your business but you.

Credit scores aren’t an issue when accessing your own retirement funds to start your business or buy an existing one because it isn’t a loan. All that’s required is for you to have money currently sitting in a rollable 401(k) or IRA and that you can satisfy certain requirements set out by the IRS to be eligible for 401(k) Business Financing. This isn’t some simple form you can take on by yourself, which is why the team at Guidant Financial is here to handle the process and paperwork – so you can focus on your business.

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What is 401(k) Business Financing and how do I get it?

This program, formally known as Rollovers for Business Start-ups or “ROBS” by the IRS, is frequently referred to simply as 401(k) Business Financing. This 100%Debt Free Financingmethod is a legal method that allows entrepreneurs who have money sitting in their 401(k) to use those funds to start or buy an established business, or to put more capital into a business they’re already running.

The 401(k) Business Funding process works like this in a nutshell:

  • The business you start or buy must operate as a C corp to meet IRS business transaction requirements.
  • Once the C corporation is started, you set up a retirement plan for the company. There are several choices to consider, but the 401(k) plan is most popular and Guidant will help you pick which retirement plan is right for your business.
  • The next step is to “roll over” your 401(k) or IRA funds into the new C corp’s retirement plan.
  • After that, the company retirement plan buys stock in your new business or franchise.
  • Once complete, the funds are made available to you, the business owner, to start operating and paying for business expenses. Any profits you make are then yours, and no principal or interest payments need to be repaid, such as with traditional loans or lines of credit.

While it sounds simple, 401(k) Business Financing can be a complicated, delicate and time-consuming process, especially if done independently. It takes a team of business and tax accountants, funding professionals and attorneys to make sure everything is set up correctly and in the right order. Guidant Financial’s team has the expert knowledge and experienced professionals to make this funding solution successful and stress-free.

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Make your startup dreams a reality within 21 days…and enjoy the benefits

Starting your business debt-free using your 401(k) will lower your overhead costs by removing the burden of making monthly interest payments on business loans. It also eliminates the need to risk your home as collateral for an SBA loan or remortgaging it to fund your business. Without interest to pay, you are free to focus on building a successful business, not the stress of making monthly payments to the bank, resulting in a quicker path to profitability. The sooner you are profitable, the faster you personally will be able to benefit in two ways: your business becomes worth more so now your 401(k) balance will grow, and you can pay yourself a salary as the mastermind behind your successful business. Win! Win!!

The team at Guidant Financial has helped over 14,000 entrepreneurs get financed to date – more than any other ROBS provider. They understand everything there is to know aboutSmall Business Financing, and are the experts in 401(k) Business Financing. Listen to what a couple entrepreneurs who took the leap into business ownership utilizing Guidant Financial have to say:

A couple of them shares their experiences working with Guidant Financial:

Don’t let someone else control your hard-earned retirement funds. If you have an idea for a great business, and the utmost confidence you’ll do whatever it takes to make it successful, Guidant Financial is here to help you get the funds you need!

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Start the Business of Your Dreams Using Guidant Financial's ROBS 401(k) (2024)

FAQs

Can I use 401k money to start a business? ›

What is 401(k) Business Financing? 401(k) business financing, also known as Rollovers for Business Startups (ROBS), is a small business and franchise funding method. ROBS allows you to draw money from your retirement account in order to start or buy a business without incurring an early withdrawal fee or tax penalty.

How much of my 401k can I use for Robs? ›

Do I have to roll all my retirement savings into my new business with ROBS? No. You can use as much or as little of your retirement assets as you want. We do suggest that you roll over at least $50,000, as there are diminishing returns to rolling a smaller amount.

How do I set up a Robs 401k? ›

How do ROBS work?
  1. Create a new C corporation, a common business structure.
  2. Set up a company 401(k) plan for your new C corporation.
  3. Roll your existing retirement funds into the new company 401(k) retirement plan.
  4. The company 401(k) plan buys your C corporation's stock.

Is Robs a good idea? ›

ROBS stands for Rollover(s) as Business Startups. They're also commonly called Rollover for Business Startups. ROBS allows you to roll your retirement savings into funding a business tax-free. That said, ROBS should be pursued with caution, as they can put a person's retirement savings at risk.

How do I set up a Robs account? ›

Here are the five basic steps of how the ROBS structure is set up:
  1. Step 1: Create a New C Corporation. ...
  2. Step 2: Setup a 401(k) Plan for Your C Corp. ...
  3. Step 3: Roll Existing Funds into the New Retirement Plan. ...
  4. Step 4: The Company Plan Buys Stock in the C Corp. ...
  5. Step 5: Use the Funds to Operate Your Business.

Can I roll my 401k into an LLC? ›

Yes, you can use funds from your 401(k) to start a business. If you have at least $50,000 in your retirement accounts, you can use a rollover for business startups (ROBS) to buy or start a business. You can also take out a loan against your 401(k) as long as your cash flow supports the payments to repay the loan.

Who can set up Robs? ›

Forming a C-corporation: The first step in setting up a ROBS requires creating a C-corporation (C-corp). Since a C-corp can issue stock and have shareholders, it is the only business structure for a ROBS arrangement that can legally sell the business' share to a retirement account.

How do 401k robs work? ›

A ROBS arrangement allows an individual to roll over assets from an existing retirement account, like a 401(k) or an IRA, tax-free. Then the funds can be used to buy stock in the new business, providing capital for startup or expansion.

Can you pay yourself a salary with Robs? ›

You can pay yourself a salary. In fact, you have to take a reasonable salary from the business in order for the structure to work. As part of your compensation, you can also choose to make new contributions to the company profit sharing or 401(k) plan.

Can I use my own money to start a business? ›

Otherwise known as bootstrapping, self-funding lets you leverage your own financial resources to support your business. Self-funding can come in the form of turning to family and friends for capital, using your savings accounts, or even tapping into your 401(k).

Can I use my TSP to start a business? ›

What is Rollovers as Business Startups (ROBS)? With Rollovers for Business Start-ups (ROBS), you can use your pre-tax retirement funds (such as a 401(k), IRA, 403(b), TSP) to start or buy a small business or franchise, without triggering early withdrawal fees or tax penalties.

What is a Robs loan? ›

A ROBS is an arrangement in which prospective business owners use their retirement funds to pay for new business start-up costs.

What are the benefits of Robs 401k? ›

Using ROBS lets you avoid the tax-penalty that normally occurs when withdrawing retirement funds early. This means you can put more of your money to work for you, rather than waste it on needless penalties. The funding transaction isn't a loan, so it doesn't need monthly payments with interest.

How to use your 401k to buy an investment property? ›

Assuming it's allowed, you are typically able to borrow half of the value of your 401k account, up to $50,000. The loan must be structured as a bona fide non-recourse loan, which is a type of loan that is secured by collateral – in this case, it will usually be the rental property being purchased.

Can you use your 401k to start a business without penalty? ›

You can use a rollover for business startups (ROBS), borrow against your retirement funds, or cash out your 401(k) funds. With a ROBS, you won't have to pay penalties, taxes, or interest charges against the money used. However, in most cases, you'll need at least $50,000 in your retirement account to use a ROBS.

Can I transfer my 401k to my LLC? ›

If you're also considering starting a small business venture, whether LLC or sole proprietorship, you may be surprised to find out you can use your retirement assets, or eligible 401(k) funds, to start or buy a business.

Can self-employed use 401k? ›

Self-employed 401(k) contributions may also make you eligible for added tax breaks. If your business is not incorporated, you can generally deduct contributions for yourself from your personal income. If your business is incorporated, you can count the contributions as a business expense.

What is the 401k limit for small businesses? ›

Contribution Limits

This limit is the lesser of: ∎ 100 percent of the employee's compensation, or ∎ $61,000 for 2022 and $66,000 for 2023. In addition, the amount employees can contribute under any 401(k) plan is limited to $20,500 for 2022 and $22,500 for 2023.

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