Glossary · Your money in the deal
IRA
In short
A tax-advantaged individual retirement account. Funds from an IRA can potentially be used for an equity injection into your business acquisition, usually through a ROBS structure.
What it means in a deal
While you can't directly withdraw from an IRA for a down payment without tax penalties, a Rollover for Business Startups (ROBS) allows you to use these funds. This complex strategy involves setting up a new C-Corporation and rolling your IRA into it to purchase business stock. Consult a ROBS specialist.
Official sources
SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
U.S. Small Business Administration · SBA Standard Operating Procedure
Last checked 2026-06-15. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Related terms
Common questions about IRA
- Can 401(k) or IRA funds be used for my SBA 7(a) loan down payment?
- Can I use funds from a Roth IRA or 401(k) without penalty for my equity injection?
- Can I use retirement funds from my IRA or 401k for an SBA 7(a) equity injection?
- Can funds from a retirement account, like an IRA or 401k, be used for my equity injection?
- Can I use funds from a retirement account, like an IRA or 401(k), for my equity injection?
- How does a lender verify equity injection from a Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA) structured as a loan to the business?
Defined by CapBench SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.
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