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What Is UBIT, When Does it Come into Play, and How Does it Affect my SDIRA Investment?

 

What Is UBIT and How Does It Affect My Self-Directed IRA Investments?

Overview

If you’re investing in real estate syndications through a Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA), understanding Unrelated Business Taxable Income (UBTI) and the resulting Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) is crucial. In this guide, we’ll answer common questions:

  • What is UBTI/UBIT, and when does it apply?
  • How do I know if my fund reports UBTI?
  • Why does my IRA need its own EIN?
  • What are my filing and compliance responsibilities?
  • How do I apply for an EIN for my IRA?

What Is UBTI and When Does UBIT Apply?

SDIRAs enjoy tax-advantaged growth, but certain income types, called Unrelated Business Taxable Income (UBTI), can trigger taxes.

UBTI typically arises when:

  • Your SDIRA invests in active businesses
  • There is margin trading
  • The investment uses leverage, such as a mortgage in a real estate deal

This income is taxed under Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) rules, regardless of whether your account is a Traditional or Roth IRA.

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How Does Real Estate Trigger UBIT?

Real estate investments made through LLCs can generate UBTI in two key ways:

1. Leverage (Debt Financing)

When real estate is purchased using borrowed funds, income generated from the leveraged portion is treated as Unrelated Debt-Financed Income (UDFI) and is subject to UBIT.

For example, if 50% of a property is debt-financed, then 50% of the income and gains from that investment may be subject to UBIT.

2. Active Business Operations

If the Real Estate LLC performs business activities like:

  • Short-term property flipping
  • Property development
  • Operating a hotel or rental management service

…then that income may also be considered UBTI.

How Does This Apply to Holdfolio Investments?

When you invest with Holdfolio using your SDIRA:

  • Your IRA holds a passive membership in an intermediary LLC
  • That LLC invests in a real estate-focused entity (another LLC)
  • The real estate entity owns and operates the property, often with leverage

Because of the leverage and potential business operations, your SDIRA may be exposed to UBTI and therefore subject to UBIT.

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How to Identify UBTI in Your Investment

Each year, you’ll receive a Schedule K-1. Look at Box 20, Code V, this will indicate whether your IRA has any UBTI to report.

If the amount exceeds $1,000, you’re required to file a UBIT return using IRS Form 990-T. This filing is separate from your personal taxes.

Why Your IRA Needs Its Own EIN

Most custodians provide a general EIN when your SDIRA is set up. However, if your SDIRA generates UBTI, it will need its own unique EIN to file Form 990-T.

This is because:

  • The SDIRA is treated as a separate taxpaying entity
  • The return must be filed under the SDIRA’s name, not yours, your custodian’s, or the LLC’s

Filing Form 990-T: Who Does What?

When UBTI is triggered:

  • Your IRA custodian and tax professional will coordinate the filing of Form 990-T
  • The form must use the SDIRA’s EIN
  • Any taxes owed must be paid directly from IRA funds

⚠️ Important: Using personal funds for tax payments is prohibited and could disqualify your IRA’s tax-advantaged status.

Keeping Up with Reporting Requirements

To stay compliant, SDIRA holders should:

  • Maintain communication with the LLC managers to receive timely financials
  • Review K-1 statements annually for any UBTI-related entries
  • Work with a qualified tax advisor to assess and report UBIT

Applying for an EIN for Your SDIRA

Here’s a quick guide if you need to obtain an EIN for your IRA:

  1. Go to the IRS EIN application site
  2. Choose:
    • View Additional Types, Including Tax-Exempt and Governmental Organizations
    • Then select “IRA
  3. When asked what tax form you’ll file, choose “Form 990-T
  4. Use the IRA’s name and address (often your custodian’s)
  5. For “responsible party,” list the custodian or trustee
  6. Submit and receive the EIN immediately

Summary: What You Need to Do as a SDIRA Investor

When your IRA invests in leveraged real estate, you must:

  • ✅ Obtain a unique EIN for your SDIRA
  • ✅ Review K-1s for UBTI each year
  • ✅ File Form 990-T when applicable
  • ✅ Ensure payments come from IRA funds only
  • ✅ Consult with a tax professional to stay compliant

By following these steps, you can stay on top of UBIT obligations and preserve the tax-advantaged status of your retirement investments.

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Jacob Blackett

Originally from Reno, Nevada, Jacob began his real estate career in 2010 as a sophomore at the University of Nevada, Reno, when he bought and sold his first two residential “fix and flip” properties in Southern California.

In 2014 Jacob founded Holdfolio and by the end of 2019, Holdfolio had amassed a rental portfolio of 141 single-family homes and 412 apartment units. At this time Holdfolio was fully vertically integrated, meaning they were operating every aspect of the investment cycle which included acquisitions, procuring bank loans, raising capital from investors, running a full-service property management company, a licensed construction company, and performing their own asset management.

Fueled by low interest rates and strong rent growth, real estate values increased steadily and dramatically between 2010 and 2020, and by early 2020 Holdfolio could not pay as much as other firms on new acquisitions. Jacob took this as an opportunity to sell all of Holdfolio’s holdings and pivot the business model to see more deal flow and invest with much larger and more experienced firms, which is how Holdfolio operates today.

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