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Glossary · Your money in the deal

Qualified plan

In short

This term refers to tax-advantaged retirement plans like 401(k)s or IRAs, governed by ERISA. Funds from these plans can sometimes be used for a business acquisition without immediate tax penalties through a ROBS structure.

What it means in a deal

If you're considering using your retirement funds for your equity injection, you'll likely be dealing with a "qualified plan" through a Rollovers for Business Start-ups (ROBS) arrangement. This complex structure allows you to invest your retirement savings into your new business while maintaining the tax-deferred status of the funds. Consult a ROBS provider and tax advisor to ensure compliance.

Common questions about Qualified plan

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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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