Solo 401(k) Basics, Rules, and Contribution Deadlines
from Directed IRA Podcast Hosted by Mat Sorensen and Mark Kohler
If you’re self-employed and want to put more money away for retirement, the Solo 401(k) is one of the most powerful tools available, but the rules and deadlines matter. In this live webinar, Mat Sorensen will walk through the Solo 401(k) basics, including who qualifies, how it’s set up, and the special strategies that make it so effective compared to IRAs and SEP IRAs. He’ll also cover the key 2025 contribution limits and deadlines you need to understand before the 2026 tax filing season. We’ll cover: - What a Solo 401(k) is and how it differs from IRAs, SEP IRAs, and traditional employer 401(k)s - Who qualifies (and who doesn’t) - How a Solo 401(k) is set up and what has to be in place to maximize contributions - 2025/2026 contribution limits, including employee vs. employer contributions and how they’re calculated - Key deadlines to know before the 2026 tax filing season - Special features unique to Solo 401(k)s - Common mistakes and misconceptions that can create tax or compliance issues Why Directed IRA? At Directed IRA, we’ve helped thousands of investors put over $3 billion into real estate, private funds, notes, and more, all inside tax-advantaged retirement accounts. Our team of experts and streamlined platform make it easy to invest with confidence. Click or tap the link below to download the slides from this webinar: https://directedira.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Solo-401ks-2026.pdf For questions or to learn more about this episode's topic, book a call with an IRA specialist here: https://directedira.com/appointment/ Interested in learning more about alternative investments? Join us this year at the Alternative Asset Summit October 22 & 23, where you'll hear from industry experts and connect with like-minded investors exploring new ways to build wealth: https://altassetsummit.com/ Other: Mat Sorensen: https://matsorensen.com Mark J. Kohler: https://markjkohler.com/ KKOS Lawyers: https://kkoslawyers.com Main Street Business https://mainstreetbusiness.com
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What this episode covers
If you’re self-employed and want to put more money away for retirement, the Solo 401(k) is one of the most powerful tools available, but the rules and deadlines matter. In this live webinar, Mat Sorensen will walk through the Solo 401(k) basics, including who qualifies, how it’s set up, and the special strategies that make it so effective compared to IRAs and SEP IRAs. He’ll also cover the key 2025 contribution limits and deadlines you need to understand before the 2026 tax filing season. W...
Chapters
- 0:08 Why Solo 401k Changes The Game
- 1:34 Weekly Webinars And How To Get Help
- 2:28 Who Qualifies And Why It Exists
- 4:22 Core Benefits: Big Limits, Loans, UDFI Exemption
- 5:12 Qualifying Business And No-Employee Rules
- 8:12 Plan Setup: Documents, EIN, Accounts
- 12:59 Funding Paths: Rollovers And New Money
- 15:17 Employee Vs Employer Contributions Explained
- 19:13 Roth Options And Sole Prop Differences
- 21:28 Deadlines For S Corps And Sole Props
- 26:40 What You Can Invest In
- 28:29 Roth IRA To Roth 401k? The Odd Rule
- 30:27 Day Job 401k Plus Side-Hustle Solo 401k
- 32:24 Moving From SEP Or Brokerage Solo 401k
- 36:32 K-1 Vs W-2 And Finding The Sweet Spot
- 43:45 Leverage Real Estate Without UDFI
- 45:02 Using An LLC And Checkbook Control
- 46:39 The Participant Loan: Access Up To 50K
- 51:21 Required Filings: 5500-EZ And 1099-R
- 53:02 Late-Year Setup Rules By Entity Type
- 56:28 A Hidden $500 Annual Tax Credit
- 1:01:06 Banking, EINs, And Practical Logistics
- 1:06:35 Crypto Options Inside A Solo 401k
- 1:11:17 Timelines To Get Set Up And Funded
- 1:14:56 Events, Resources, And How To Connect
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