
Solo 401k plans are designed for self-employed individuals and business owners, offering a flexible retirement savings option. Businesses with multiple owners or partners can consider having two solo 401k plans.
A solo 401k plan is limited to a single business, so it's essential to determine if your business qualifies for two plans. According to the IRS, a solo 401k plan is available to self-employed individuals and businesses with no more than 100 employees.
What is a Solo 401k?
A Solo 401k is a type of retirement plan designed for self-employed individuals and business owners with limited employees. It's a popular choice for those who want to save for retirement and reduce their tax liability.
The Solo 401k allows for high contributions, with a maximum of 20% of net self-employment income and an additional $19,500 in 2022. This can add up to a significant amount, making it a great option for business owners who want to save for retirement.
Business owners can contribute to a Solo 401k as both the employee and the employer, allowing for even higher contributions.
Definition

A Solo 401k is a type of retirement plan designed for self-employed individuals and small business owners.
It's also known as an individual 401k or a solo k plan.
This type of plan allows you to set aside a portion of your income for retirement, potentially reducing your taxable income.
You can contribute up to 20% of your net earnings from self-employment to a Solo 401k.
Types of Solo 401k Plans
There are two primary types of Solo 401k plans: Traditional and Roth.
A Traditional Solo 401k plan allows contributions to be made with pre-tax dollars, reducing taxable income for the year.
You can deduct up to 20% of your net self-employment income, or up to 25% if you're a self-employed individual with a business partner.
With a Traditional plan, you'll pay taxes on withdrawals in retirement, just like with a traditional IRA.
Roth Solo 401k plans, on the other hand, allow contributions to be made with after-tax dollars.
You can't deduct Roth contributions from your taxable income, but you won't pay taxes on withdrawals in retirement.
The Roth plan is a great option if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement, as you'll pay lower taxes on withdrawals.
Both types of plans offer the same benefits, including flexibility in investment options and loan provisions.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for a Solo 401k, you must be a self-employed individual or a small business owner with no employees other than your spouse.
You can have up to 25% of your net earnings from self-employment contributed to a Solo 401k plan, or $57,000, whichever is less.
As a Solo 401k participant, you must be under 70 1/2 years old to contribute to the plan.
Your business must be a sole proprietorship, single-member LLC, or single-member S corporation to be eligible for a Solo 401k plan.
You can also have a Solo 401k plan if you are a self-employed individual with a side business, such as freelancing or consulting.
Your business must have a net earnings from self-employment of at least $5,050 to be eligible for a Solo 401k plan.
You can have a Solo 401k plan in addition to other retirement plans, such as a SEP-IRA or a traditional IRA.
Setting Up Multiple Solo 401k Plans for a Business
Setting up multiple Solo 401k plans for a business can be a bit complex, but it's doable. You can have a Solo 401k plan for yourself and another for a business partner.
To qualify for a Solo 401k, your business must be a single-member LLC or a sole proprietorship. This is because the plan is designed for self-employed individuals and businesses with limited employees.
If your business has multiple owners, you can set up a Solo 401k plan for each owner, but you'll need to file separate plans with the IRS.
Benefits and Drawbacks
Setting up multiple Solo 401k plans for a business can be a complex process, but it offers several benefits.
You can have a higher contribution limit, up to $57,000, compared to a single plan which has a limit of $19,500.
This allows business owners to save more for retirement and potentially reduce their tax liability.
The ability to have a higher contribution limit can also help business owners to catch up on their retirement savings if they have been delaying contributions.
However, there are also some drawbacks to consider.
You'll need to file separate tax returns for each plan, which can be time-consuming and may require additional fees for accounting and tax preparation.
This added complexity can be overwhelming for some business owners, especially those who are not familiar with tax laws and regulations.
Tax Implications
Tax Implications can be a complex and nuanced aspect of setting up multiple Solo 401k plans for a business. Contributions to Solo 401k plans are tax-deductible, which can help reduce a business's taxable income.
Each Solo 401k plan must be separately funded, and contributions to each plan are limited to 20% of the business's compensation for the year. This means that if a business has multiple employees, each plan can be funded up to 20% of their respective compensation.
The IRS requires that Solo 401k plans be established by the end of the business's tax year, which is typically December 31st. This deadline is crucial, as failing to establish a plan by the end of the year can result in missed opportunities for tax savings.
Managing Multiple Solo 401k Plans for a Business
Managing multiple solo 401k plans for a business can be complex, but it's not impossible.
Each solo 401k plan must be established and maintained separately, with its own plan documents, administrative responsibilities, and tax obligations.
To simplify the process, businesses can consider consolidating their plans into a single plan that covers all employees, but this may not be feasible for all businesses.
Some businesses may have multiple plans due to changes in ownership, mergers, or acquisitions, which can lead to multiple plans with different administrators and investment options.
In these cases, it's essential to review and update the plan documents, administrative responsibilities, and investment options to ensure compliance with IRS regulations.
Administrative Requirements
Managing multiple solo 401k plans for a business requires attention to several key administrative requirements.
You'll need to file annual Form 5500 for each plan, which is due by July 31st of each year. This form is used by the IRS to monitor plan compliance and financial health.
As a plan administrator, you're responsible for maintaining accurate records for each plan, including participant contributions, investment elections, and loan activity.
Each plan must have a separate trust account, and you'll need to keep track of the account balance for each plan.
You'll also need to ensure that each plan has its own unique plan number, which is used to identify the plan on the Form 5500.
You can use a plan administration software to streamline record-keeping and reporting tasks, but you'll still need to review and verify the accuracy of the data.
Annual plan audits may be required for plans with assets over $250,000, so be sure to check the plan's asset value each year to determine if an audit is necessary.
As the plan administrator, you're responsible for notifying the IRS of any plan changes, such as a change in plan administrator or a modification to the plan document.
Compliance and Record-Keeping
Managing multiple solo 401k plans for a business requires careful attention to compliance and record-keeping.
The IRS requires solo 401k plans to be filed annually by the due date of the business's tax return.
Keeping accurate records of plan contributions, investments, and distributions is crucial to ensure compliance.
Business owners must also maintain a record of employee elections, including deferral and loan elections.
The plan administrator is responsible for maintaining these records and making them available to the IRS upon request.
In addition to annual filing, solo 401k plans must also be amended if there are any changes to the plan or its participants.
Amendments must be filed with the IRS and made available to plan participants.
Participant Management
Participant Management is a crucial aspect of managing multiple solo 401k plans for a business.
You'll need to establish clear policies and procedures for participant onboarding, which can be done in as little as 30 minutes per participant.
For example, you can create a standardized onboarding form that includes all necessary information, such as participant demographics and investment elections.
This will help ensure that all participants are properly set up and compliant with plan requirements.
The plan administrator can also use online platforms to facilitate participant onboarding, making it easier to manage multiple plans.
You can also use these platforms to send participant communications, such as annual benefit statements and plan updates.
This will help keep participants informed and engaged with the plan.
In addition, the plan administrator can use online platforms to facilitate participant changes, such as investment elections or loan requests.
This will help streamline the participant management process and reduce administrative burdens.
The plan administrator should also establish clear procedures for participant terminations, including distributing plan assets and providing required notices.
This will help ensure that all participants are properly processed and compliant with plan requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a multi-member LLC have a Solo 401k?
Yes, a multi-member LLC can have a Solo 401(k) plan if it meets the eligibility requirements. However, the plan's rules and benefits may differ from those of a traditional 401(k) plan
How do they do a Solo 401k yet they have a multiple business?
A Solo 401k plan can be set up for multiple businesses by listing them as a Controlled Group, allowing contributions from each business's earned income. This setup enables entrepreneurs with multiple income streams to maximize their retirement savings.
Sources
- https://www.irafinancialgroup.com/learn-more/solo-401k/can-you-have-multiple-solo-401k-plans/
- https://ira123.com/solo-401k-eligibility/
- https://www.empower.com/the-currency/life/solo-401k
- https://ptmoney.com/solo-individual-401k/
- https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/retirement-plans-for-self-employed-people
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