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The Daily Insight

What assets can be held in a self-directed IRA?

Author

Emma Jordan

Published Apr 07, 2026

Understanding a Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA) With an SDIRA, you can hold precious metals, commodities, private placements, limited partnerships, tax lien certificates, real estate, and other sorts of alternative investments.

What are you not allowed to put into a self-directed IRA?

Self-directed IRAs can’t invest in: Collectibles – like art, antiques, gems, coins, alcoholic beverages, and certain precious metals (See IRC Section 590) S-Corporations – defines allowable shareholders in Subchapter S corporations, which does not include IRAs (see 26 USC 1361)

Can a self directed IRA be used to buy real estate?

If you want to plunge into property purchases through your self-directed IRA, you need to know the rules—and there are a lot of them. You can hold real estate in your IRA, but you’ll need a self-directed IRA to do so.

Who is responsible for taxes on a self directed IRA?

Based on the above example, for a $2,000 property tax bill, the Self-Directed IRA LLC will be responsible for 50% of the bill ($1,000). The family member, friend, or colleague is then responsible for the remaining $1,000 (50%). We’ll discuss more on partnering with family, friends and colleagues later in this article.

Who is disqualified from a self directed IRA?

The IRS lists the following as disqualified individuals: yourself, your beneficiary, your fiduciary, and members of your family (spouse, ancestor, lineal descendant, and any spouse of a lineal descendant). 2. You Cannot Have “Indirect Benefits” from Property Owned by Your Self-Directed IRA.

Can a family member use real estate in an IRA?

Any real estate property you buy must be strictly for investment purposes: You and family members can’t use it. Purchasing real estate within an IRA usually requires paying in cash, and all ownership expenses must be paid by the IRA.