Needing to speak with a CPA

[Alton Bell]

Hello BP Community. My name is AJ and I’m based in Phx Arizona. Me and my girlfriend are planning to get into the reAl estate game and want to begin flipping properties. Not so much buy and hold or rentals but buying distressed homes, rehabbing them and then flipping them for a profit. Now for us to get started my girlfriend is planning on withdrawing her 401k which is at about 92k right now. From the information that I’ve researched we will be hit with a early withdrawal penalty and additionally the money will get taxed. This is where me and her have a disagreement because she doesn’t believe the money will get taxed. Can someone please help me understand and give me some advise on any unforeseen issues we may incur and also some other options we can explore. Transferring the money to a self direct and only borrowing etc. any help and advise would be helpful. Thank you!!

[Greg Scott]

Yes that money will get taxed and penalized if you take it out.  It is one of the downsides of the 401K.   

A SDIRA likely won't help either because there will be a lot of restrictions around using that money for your own projects and if you violate them the IRA blows up and you also have to pay the tax.

A better bet may be to borrow the money from your girlfriend's 401k. She should be able to borrow up to $46K (half the balance) and pay no tax.  She has to pay it back, but she is effectively paying herself.