Category: Business

How Layoffs Will Impact Your Upcoming 401(k) Plan Audit

Siân Killingsworth / 3 Aug 2020 / Business

If your company has been forced to lay off employees during the coronavirus pandemic, you can expect closer scrutiny from your 401(k) plan auditors this year.

Be prepared to provide more financial documentation than usual, including information on vesting, benefit disbursement, and investments.

The auditor will look to make sure the plan is operating in accordance with the plan-related documents, the Department of Labor requirements, and Internal Revenue Service regulations. Most plans are subject to passing annual IRS nondiscrimination tests to prove that the 401(k) plan is not merely a tax haven for Highly Compensated Employees, but rather, serves as a benefit to all. Form 5500 will be assessed to ensure all financial information has been reported accurately and completely.

If your 401(k) plan has 120 or more eligible participants on the first day of the plan year, an audit is required. Once you’ve been audited, you will be subject to the same procedure every year unless the eligible participant number dips below 100.

How Layoffs Can Impact a 401(k) Plan Audit

If you’ve laid off workers this year, you can expect 401(k) plan auditors to:

• Pull bigger samples – When employees are laid off, the number of distributions and the distribution amounts tend to increase, attracting the attention of auditors. Auditors base the samples they audit on the number of transactions and total dollar amounts, so they may pull larger samples for testing purposes.
• Request additional disclosures – One of the key reasons for a 401(k) plan audit is to protect employee benefit plans from fraud, such as misappropriation of assets or fraudulent financial reporting. Additional financial documents may be required to provide context about the plan’s vesting, eligibility requirements, benefit disbursements, and valuation of investments.
• Vesting may be scrutinized – If 20 percent or more of your employees were laid off, it is considered a “partial termination” and the IRS requires that affected employees become immediately fully vested.
• Ask more questions – Any new procedures of controls added to the plan amid the pandemic will go under a microscope. Auditors may ask what market fluctuations and concerns prompted changes to the 401(k) plan. They will be checking to see that all the old methods were followed by the letter up until the time the formally requested change kicked in.

How to Prepare for the 401(k) Audit after Layoffs

Large plans have until July 31, 2020, to complete their audits. If an extension is filed, they can have until October 31 to have the plan assessed.

Auditors will need access to HR, Payroll, and Financial information for each employee in the plan. You’ll need to provide:

• Executed plan documents and amendments
• The current year census
• Last year’s Form 5500
• Distribution forms
• IRS determination letter
• Participant statement and trust reports
• Plan sponsor financial statements
• W2s and annual payroll registers
• Loan documents
• Certification reports for the plan custodian
• Discrimination tests
• SAS 70 report
• Form 1099 for distributions

In addition to assembling all of the above documents, here’s how employers can prepare:

• Put a person in charge of process review: It’s imperative that a point person who understands all plan processes is on hand to answer any questions the auditor may have. Maybe this person is someone in HR, or maybe it’s your 401(k) plan provider. Have that responsibility clearly delegated. Now is also a good time to remove access to plan website for laid-off employees (if you haven’t already) and review security measures designed to prevent fraud.
• Contact your auditor as soon as possible: Auditors are likely under compressed schedules due to the COVID-19 crisis and may even be working remotely from home. It’s wise to reach out with any questions about the auditing process as soon as possible to ensure everything runs smoothly.
• Contact your 401(k) plan provider: Now that you have fewer employees, the contributions from Highly Compensated Employees may start looking a bit top-heavy. Your plan provider can help you perform projections through the end of the plan year to determine whether failure is imminent and even add a Safe Harbor provision to help you avoid testing altogether.

Do you have additional questions about 401(k) plans, layoffs, and furloughs? Contact Ubiquity for assistance.

What Gig Employers Should Consider When It Comes to Benefits

Siân Killingsworth / 26 May 2020 / Business

Since day one, our mission has been to help under-served populations of the workforce like small businesses save for their future. The gig economy is no exception. Especially during this trying time, we want to thank those contract workers who are keeping our economy moving, including food and package delivery drivers.

Historically speaking, one of the greatest perks of gig work is the flexibility, yet contract workers still lack flexible and well-rounded benefits. The discussion of portable benefits has picked up steam recently with millions of independent contractors putting their health in jeopardy to bring home a paycheck due to COVID-19.

From a retirement savings perspective, portable benefits would be an absolute game-changer.

Right now, there are some solutions that contract workers can pursue themselves, like signing up for a solo 401(k) or saving through an IRA. But with a more cohesive plan for portable retirement benefits, gig workers would have even greater accessibility to tax-advantaged accounts with higher contribution limits.

We’ve been in the benefits space for over 20 years and haven’t seen an innovation quite as thought-provoking as portable benefits. If you employ independent contractors, here are some things to keep in mind as this news develops:

Portable benefits provide transparency

Transparency is a virtue. Take a second to ask: What is it like working for me? The environment you’re creating should include a level of confidence and care for your employees. If you’re providing some type of benefits for those contract workers, let your prospective employees and customers know.

In this case, one size does fit all

If portable benefits are under serious consideration, make sure what you are providing is inclusive. Any benefits you implement, whether retirement savings or other, must be something everyone can use. Don’t offer perks for one sector of the population that won’t work for the other.

Look to the future

There will be turnover. It’s part of the gig world, and demand in certain areas will fluctuate over time. The hiring of food delivery drivers might be at an all-time high right now, but what will happen when it’s safe for everyone to eat in restaurants again? Your benefits offerings should be structured to weather these changes.

As the gig economy continues to grow, benefits offerings need to grow with it. Right now, the vast majority of gig employers are not offering retirement benefits at all, but we expect things to change with the rise of portable benefits.

At Ubiquity Retirement + Savings, we are here as your savings advocates. We’ve adapted our offerings through our 20-year history and we aren’t stopping now. We will continue to monitor for updates on portable benefits-related legislation and implementation to help you save for your future the most effective way possible.

How to Apply for the Paycheck Protection Program

Siân Killingsworth / 7 May 2020 / Business

You have another opportunity to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. The initial $350 billion of funding ran out within a matter of weeks. The program reopened Monday, April 27, but the additional money appropriated will not last long either, given the backlog of applications and continued interest in the program.

What makes PPP loans the most attractive option on the market is the fact that you can take out a hefty sum (2.5x your monthly payroll up to $10 million). In addition, you do not have to repay this money, as long as you use the funds for salary, wages, commissions, tips, vacation pay, family leave, and state/local taxes. Continue reading to find out how you can apply.

Choose where to apply for a PPP loan

If you have an existing relationship with a lender, such as a federally-insured bank or credit union, that’s the best place to start. Many national institutions, from Live Oak Bank and JP Morgan Chase to Bank of America and Regents Bank, are only accepting applications from existing customers.

If you do not have an existing relationship with a regional bank or credit union, you may be able to apply through:

• BlueVine
• Centerstone SBA Lending
• Fountainhead
• Fundera
• Funding Circle
• Harvest Small Business Finance
• Intuit/Quickbooks Capital
• Kabbage
• Lendistry
• OnDeck
• PayPal
• Ready Capital
• Square Capital
• The Loan Source
• Velocity SBA

To avoid scams, be sure you’re working through an approved lender. The Small Business Administration’s lender search tool can tell you whether they are one of the 1,800 participating lenders authorized to administer the program. The application deadline is June 30, 2020, if funding does not run out in the meantime.

Fill out a PPP application

You can get the application at your lender’s office or apply online in some cases. The Small Business Administration also lets you download and fill out a PPP form on their website.

The processing time

The program requires lenders to disburse the funds within 10 days of approval, but most small businesses report a one to five-day loan processing time. While you are waiting, you may consider other options like Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) or 401(k) loans.

Know the rules for PPP forgiveness

If you are spending your PPP loan on approved expenses, the loan debt will be forgiven.

• Use all (or at least 75%) of the funds on wages, benefits, tips, commissions, paid leave, and local taxes.
• Convert 1099 workers to W2 workers for the next eight weeks.
• Do not pay any one employee (including yourself) over $3,846.15 in a two-week period.
• Start payments the day you receive the money.
• Do not lay off workers during the next eight weeks.

Keep in mind any borrowed money that is not forgiven will be converted into a very low-interest loan. Forgiveness will be approved at the end of the eight-week period following receipt of your loan, after you have requested this from your lender in writing. Your request must contain documentation of the number of full-time employees, pay rates, mortgage, or lease payments, as well as utility payments. Your lender has 60 days to reply to your request.

Contact Ubiquity if you have any questions about how the coronavirus crisis affects your 401(k) retirement savings.

Do I Have to Pay Back an SBA Disaster Relief Loan?

Siân Killingsworth / 7 May 2020 / Business

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) worth up to $2 million. The goal is to support small businesses in overcoming temporary loss of revenue.

Keep in mind the loans, cash advances, and grants are only available as federal appropriations are made. Once the funding runs out, applications will no longer be accepted. Since multiple bills have passed already, the situation is extremely fluid, with more money likely to be doled out in the future.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans

What It Is: EIDLs provide working capital to meet necessary financial obligations during the disaster period.

How Much Can You Get?: You can take out up to $2 million in disaster assistance.

What Can You Use It For?: EIDLs can be used for essentially any business purpose – payroll, benefits, buying materials, rent, utility payments, and vendor payments. The funds should not be used for expansions, employee bonuses, long-term debt refinancing, or physical property repairs and renovations.

Do You Need To Repay It?: Yes, you will need to repay the EIDL, though you may also qualify to receive $10,000 in grant money while you wait for your loan, which you do not have to repay.

What Is The Term?: Terms last up to 30 years, depending on your ability to repay the loan.

What Is The Interest Rate?: Small businesses are subject to a 3.75% interest rate, while nonprofits receive a 2.75% interest rate.

Economic Injury Disaster Advance Grants

What It Is: Small businesses can receive a cash advance within days of a successful application.

How Much Can You Get?: You can receive up to $10,000 in emergency assistance.

What Can You Use It For?: The funds are meant to recover loss of revenue due to the economic pause.

Do You Need To Repay It?: No! This loan advance does not need to be repaid.

What Is the Term?: There is no term. It’s free money if you are approved!

What Is The Interest Rate?: There is no interest. The $10,000 is yours to keep.

Where to Apply: Apply for the Economic Injury Disaster advance here.

Unable to Get An SBA Disaster Relief Loan?

Getting an SBA disaster relief grant or loan is a great opportunity for small businesses, but it’s not the only option. There are also Paycheck Protection Program loans offering 2.5x monthly payroll expenses, capped at $10 million, that can be completely forgiven as long as employers use the money to keep their workers on the payroll for at least eight weeks. Yet, as you may expect, these funds, available through the U.S. Department of Treasury, are even more in short supply.

The good news is that you may be able to tap into your own savings short-term, thanks to a provision in the CARES Act that lets you borrow up to 100% of your 401(k) savings. Usually, you are only able to borrow 50%, so this is a good opportunity if you cannot access funds by any other means. You will be able to put the money back in, with no cap on the annual amount added, over the next five years.

The repayment term can be delayed for up to a year. If you can’t repay the loan, your outstanding balance will be taxed like a withdrawal, and you’ll need to pay a 10% early withdrawal penalty, so you want to make sure you don’t take out more than you can handle over a five-year period.

Contact Ubiquity if you have questions about a 401(k) loan, setting up a new 401(k) program, or keeping your retirement on-track during the coronavirus crisis.

How to Get a Small Business Coronavirus Loan or Grant

Siân Killingsworth / 7 May 2020 / Business

While supermarkets, pharmacies, and streaming services are thriving, the reality on Main Street is very different. Small business owners are used to operating under tight margins–as long as they are allowed to remain open and bring in revenue.

The federal government understands that small businesses are the lifeblood of America, which is why both Democrats and Republicans worked together to pass the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Federal and state aid have lowered barriers to obtaining funding to ensure that more businesses have the opportunity to survive the crisis. They may apply for a PPP loan, EIDL loan, and EIDL grant under the program. The EIDL may be rolled over into a PPP if approved, allowing you the ability to potentially forgive some of the debt and decrease the interest rate to 1%.

Keep reading to learn how to apply for small business relief.

How to get a small business coronavirus loan or grant

Find out if you qualify for a Paycheck Protection Program loan through the U.S. Treasury Department.

• Your business should have 500 or fewer employees, though there may be a few exceptions.
• Sole proprietorships, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals may apply.
• You need not try to get funding elsewhere before applying to the program.
• Businesses in food or hospitality industries may be eligible, depending on their location.
• Your business must have been established as of February 15, 2020.
• To have your loan forgiven, you must use the PPP loan for payroll expenses, rent, and utilities.

Find out if you qualify for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan or grant through the U.S. SBA.

• Your small, cooperative, private nonprofit, agricultural, or tribal business has under 500 employees.
• Sole proprietorships, independent contractors, and the self-employed may qualify.
• Your business must have been established by January 31, 2020.
• Your business was directly affected by coronavirus in some way.
• Applicants are judged based on their credit history and ability to repay.
• A personal credit check is required for owners with a 20% or greater stake in the company.

Collect your required documents.

• For PPP loans, businesses will need to submit: A front/back color copy of a valid driver’s license for each owner; 941 quarterly tax filings (2019, 2020 Q1), 944 annual tax filings (2019), payroll register for the past 12 months, and 12 months of most recent bank statements. Contractors or self-employed individuals need: IRS 1040 Schedule C, 1099s (2019), income and expense reports (2019), and any other document proving payroll expenses.
• For EIDL, all business owners with a 20% or more stake in the company must submit: loan applications, tax information authorization (IRS Form 4506-T), federal income tax returns, personal financial statement (SBA Form 413), and a schedule of liabilities listing all fixed debts.

Submit your paperwork.

• Download and fill out the PPP loan form. Submit to a credit union or other SBA-approved lender.
• Apply for EIDL through the SBA Disaster Portal.
• For EIDL, be sure you have checked the box indicating you wish to be considered for the $10K grant.

Time frame

• You will receive PPP loan funding within 10 days of approval. You can check the status via Lendio.
• It can take 21 days or more for EIDL approval, but you may get your $10K cash advance in 3 days.

How to get money for your small business when loan and grant money runs out

The process of trying to get a small business coronavirus loan or grant is not easy. Even though the lending requirements and documentation have been considerably reduced, thousands of businesses are also applying for that finite pool of money.

If you are worried about how your small business might survive the COVID-19 crisis, consider speaking to a financial advisor. Together you can strategize about how your current resources can be most effectively used during this downtime.

The government’s coronavirus economic support package also includes business interruption insurance, paid sick leave, a tax deadline extension, and favorable 401(k) loan terms as other options to make your money stretch.

Contact Ubiquity if you have questions about your small business 401(k) plan and how making changes to your company’s retirement plan can free up capital.

401(k) Hardship Withdrawals Can Help Employees Through the Coronavirus Crisis

Siân Killingsworth / 7 May 2020 / Business

Employers who take care of their workers throughout the coronavirus crisis will be poised to pick up right where they left off. You have a number of options to provide assistance as a 401(k) sponsor. You may not have considered allowing 401(k) hardship withdrawals or 401(k) loans, but there are incentives for doing so.

Employees can take hardship withdrawals from their 401(k) plan accounts to meet “an immediate and heavy financial need” related to the coronavirus crisis. You will need to work with your 401(k) vendor to administer the withdrawals. Of course, a flood of plan participant requests can become a major headache, so it’s best to know the following:

Multiple options to choose from

You do not have to allow both 401(k) loans and 401(k) hardship withdrawals under your plan.

Most 401(k) plans have incorporated CARES Act changes. For instance, loans can now be made up to $100,000 (or 100% of the account balance) – double the usual limit. Participants can extend repayment terms on existing 401(k) loans for an extra year, with no payments due in 2020. Up to $100,000 can be taken out of a retirement account before age 59.5 – without the 10% early withdrawal penalty – if the plan participant has been directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Loans must generally be repaid within five years at a varying interest rate; if the loan is not repaid in full, participants must take the remainder as a rollover distribution and pay the 10% early withdrawal penalty, if applicable.

Almost 165,000 Americans took hardship withdrawals out of their 401(k)s in the month of April. Normally, there are about 220,000 withdrawals in a quarter. Most people take out $5,500, but 3,200 people took out the $100,000 maximum now allowed under the CARES Act that passed on March 27. Hardship withdrawals do not need to be repaid, but the amount taken is subject to income tax and a 10% penalty if the plan participant is under 59.5 years old.

Be sure to communicate exactly what the plan offers, including the terms for taking out a loan or hardship withdrawal.

The criteria for hardship is broadening, but you need to be audit-ready.

Hardship criteria include expenses for medical care, the cost of purchasing a principal residence, payment to avoid eviction or foreclosure, payment of college tuition, burial/funeral expenses, emergency home repair costs, or “expenses and losses caused by federally declared disaster.”

Let plan participants know which documents they might submit to ensure the approval of their hardship 401(k) withdrawal. For instance, submitting a letter from the landlord threatening eviction is helpful to have on file. The IRS may ask to see documentation of the hardship request, review process, approval, and Form 1099-R distribution.

Consider tools that give employees more control.

A survey conducted by the National Association of Plan Advisors found that plan participants were most frustrated in wondering, “It’s my money – why can’t I have it?” Plan sponsors with high rates of participant loan and withdrawal activity can benefit from offering employees educational resources and financial wellness tools. Training employees to budget wisely and save more for their retirements will reduce the administrative burden considerably, while also showing employees you care.

Ubiquity Retirement and Savings is a 401(k) plan provider in the United States, which provides flat-fee brokerage services and in-depth assistance to small businesses in particular. Switching your 401(k) provider can save you money and hassle at a time when you need it most. Contact us for details.

How Does the CARES Act Work for Small Businesses

Siân Killingsworth / 7 May 2020 / Business

President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act on March 27, 2020. Part of the bipartisan spending bill throws a lifeline to small businesses looking to remain afloat during the economic freefall caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Expanded Unemployment Insurance

Federal unemployment insurance adds $600 a week of benefits on top of whatever states are giving furloughed employees. These benefits last up to four months if necessary. Independent contractors, gig economy workers, freelancers, the self-employed, and those with limited work history are able to apply. So, as a small business owner, you can potentially qualify for unemployment insurance benefits if you pay yourself a salary or wages in addition to receiving dividends. Once workers run out of state benefits, the federal government will fund an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits through December 31, 2020.

Payroll Protection

Paycheck Protection Program loans, also called “PPP loans,” are meant to help businesses with fewer than 500 employees retain their workers and cover overhead expenses from February 15 through June 30. Small businesses can take out 2.5x the monthly payroll (up to $10 million) to cover any employees making up to $100,000 per year. Loans may be forgiven if the company retains at least 75 percent of its workforce, and uses the loan for payroll, mortgage interest, rent, utilities, and regional taxes.

Taxpayer Rebates

The CARES Act gives taxpayers up to $1,200 (plus $500 for each child under 17). Taxpayer refunds may not directly impact small businesses, but feasibly some of the money could end up cycling back for purchases. For instance, a quarter of Americans planned to spend their money on food and groceries, so CPG brands, meal kit providers, and restaurants stand to benefit. Nearly a third of Americans are saving their stimulus money – feasibly to spend it once the economy reopens.

Student Loan Debt Tax Deductions

Employer payments on behalf of employee student loans are excluded from taxable income. Employers can contribute up to $5,250 annually toward student loans, with payments excluded from employer and employee taxable income.

Business Tax Provisions

Employers enjoy a number of new tax provisions allowed under the CARES Act this year, including:

• A 50 percent refundable tax credit on wages paid up to $10,000.
• Social security payroll tax payments delayed until December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2022.
• Carrying back net operating losses earned in 2018, 2019, or 2020 five years to offset taxable income.
• Deducting 50 percent of Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortization (up from 30%).

Stabilization Funds

The U.S. Treasury’s Exchange Stabilization Fund provides $454 billion in emergency lending to businesses, cities, and states. Companies taking out loans must avoid stock buybacks for the entire term of the loan and a year after, and must retain at least 90 percent of its workforce.

Retirement Account Changes

The CARES Act also waives the 10 percent early withdrawal penalty on 401(k) and IRA distributions. Plan participants looking to take out a 401(k) loan can take out up to 100% of what they put in and repay themselves over the next five years. Required Minimum Distributions are waived for the rest of 2020, allowing retirees the ability to hold onto funds rather than sell at a discount.

Ubiquity is a low-cost provider of 401(k) plans. We are committed to helping Americans maximize their retirement accounts in light of the circumstances. Contact us to discuss the CARES Act and more.

Retirement Plans for Individuals

Siân Killingsworth / 6 May 2020 / Business

Many Americans tend to live for just today. While “Carpe Diem” sounds good in theory, this ethos can interfere with your quality of life in the long run, after years of spending with reckless abandon catch up with you. And too many Americans have NO retirement savings nest egg whatsoever.

This is a troubling fact, considering social security will only cover an estimated 40 percent of one’s pre-retirement income. Even if you have paid off your mortgage and anticipate significant savings with the elimination of your daily commute, your cost of living will continue. Utilities, home maintenance costs, property taxes, healthcare, vacation, and entertainment costs will persist. Most people need at least 80 percent of their pre-retirement income to live comfortably, so where will the other 40 percent come from?

Maybe you work for yourself, or your employer simply doesn’t offer a plan. Either way, you have options. Now is as good a time as any to start thinking seriously about individual retirement savings. Retirement plans for individuals include the solo 401(k), traditional IRA, SEP IRA, and Roth IRA.

What is a Solo 401(k)?

The Solo 401(k) operates like a typical 401(k) but is open to owner-only “businesses.” The business establishing the Solo 401(k) can be structured as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation.

Who can open a Solo 401(k)?

One-participant plans are designed for “businesses” with no other employees or with employees who are not eligible to participate in an employer-sponsored program, such as those who work less than 1,000 hours per year or who are younger than 21. To qualify for a Solo 401(k), you must have earned some type of income from self-employment. You may work full-time for an employer and have a side hustle. Any income from your side business would then be eligible to enter into a solo 401(k) plan.

What are the benefits of a Solo 401(k)?

One of the main benefits of a Solo 401(k) is the amount you contribute to the plan. Consider this comparison with a Traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA): In 2019, individuals could only contribute up to $6,000 into an IRA, while a Solo 401(k) allowed contributions up to $56,000. Individuals over the age of 50 were permitted $1,000 in catch-up contributions to an IRA. Solo 401(k) plans authorized an additional $6,000.

Other Solo 401(k) advantages include:

• Pre-tax salary contributions that will reduce your taxable income.
• Ability to maximize savings with additional after-tax Roth contributions.
• Write off any plan contributions and expenses as a business tax deduction.
• Enjoy pre-tax growth on your investments while in the plan.
• Retain the option to borrow a loan from your retirement savings if necessary.

Since there are no employees, plan administration is exceptionally low-maintenance. You don’t have to worry about nondiscrimination tests or annual reports with the IRS unless or until your plan reaches $250,000 in assets.

What is a Traditional IRA?

Unlike a 401(k) plan that must be opened by an employer, anyone with taxable income (or who has a spouse with earned income) can open an IRA. A Traditional IRA is a long-term retirement savings vehicle that allows you to defer taxes on the earnings and growth of your savings until you reach at least 59.5 years of age. If you try to dip in early, you will be subject to a 10 percent early distribution penalty payable to the IRS. You will also have to pay taxes on the amount of the withdrawal at your current income tax rate. Traditional IRA distributions are not required until after 70.5 years of age.

Who can open a Traditional IRA?

Nearly anyone can contribute to a traditional IRA. You need only receive taxable income. Before 2020, you had to be under 70.5 years of age to contribute to a traditional IRA. However, now there is no age limit on making regular contributions to Traditional IRAs.

What are the benefits of a Traditional IRA?

Traditional IRA plans allow savers to deduct contributions from their taxable income. No taxes are paid on interest or gains, while the savings continue to grow year after year. Taxes are due at the time of withdrawal, at your retirement income rate – which should be substantially less in retirement than it is now while you are working.

A traditional IRA is particularly beneficial in the following ways:

• An IRA is an investment account, so instead of earning a meager 0.5 – 2.5 percent annual interest in a high-yield savings account, your contributions can be invested in mutual funds, bonds, or index funds to achieve higher returns.
• Traditional IRA accounts are tax shelters, so gains, dividends, and interest are all non-taxable. Your money can grow considerably over the years. IRAs are a great way to save for the future, even if your employer does not offer a matched savings plan.
• An IRA can be opened in addition to an existing 401(k) to maximize your savings.

In 2020, individuals under 50 can contribute up to $6,000. Catch-up contributions for older investors of $1,000 are allowed. In addition to depositing annual contributions, IRA savers can fund their IRA account with benefits rolled over from a former employer’s retirement plan or another IRA.

What is a SEP IRA?

A Simplified Employee Pension (SEP IRA) is a variation on a traditional IRA that is especially well-suited to sole proprietors and business owners looking to cover one or more employees. Employees do not contribute to their own accounts. Instead, employers make tax-deductible contributions on behalf of all eligible employees.

Who can open a SEP IRA?

Any business owner with one or more employees can open a SEP IRA. Anyone with freelance income can contribute. To be eligible, employees must be at least 21 years old and have worked for the company in three of the last five years, receiving at least $600 in compensation during the year.

What are the benefits of a SEP IRA?

SEP IRA contribution limits are much higher than a Traditional IRA – more like a Solo 401(k). Individuals can contribute up to 25 percent of their net earnings (annual profits minus half of one’s self-employment taxes), up to $57,000 in 2020.

Other advantages of the SEP IRA include:

• Administrative costs are relatively low.
• There is no annual funding requirement.
• Employers have control over how much to contribute annually.
• The plan offers flexibility to vary contributions, skipping years, or adding end-of-year lump sums.

The SEP IRA is also renowned as the most manageable plan for an individual to establish and operate.

What is a Roth IRA?

A Roth IRA is a retirement savings vehicle that allows you to withdraw your savings and distributions tax-free. Unlike a Traditional IRA, contributions to your retirement plan are not tax-deductible at the time of deposit, but the earnings on your Roth contributions still grow tax-free. If you play by the rules, you can take out the money at the age of retirement without paying federal taxes on it.

A “qualified” withdrawal occurs under any of these circumstances:

• At least five years after you have opened your Roth IRA,
• When you are 59.5 or older,
• Due to a permanent disability,
• By a beneficiary of your estate after your death, or
• To buy/rebuild your first home.

But remember, there is still a 10% IRS penalty if you withdraw funds before age 59.5.

Who can open a Roth IRA?

You can contribute to a Roth IRA whether you are married, filing separately, single, or filing as head of the household – as long as your modified adjusted gross income is less than $139,000. If you are married and filing jointly, you can contribute to a Roth IRA if your income is less than $206,000. To avoid reductions in contribution amounts, you will need to make less than $124,000 (separate) or $196,000 (joint).

What are the benefits of a Roth IRA?

Roth IRAs offer certain freedoms that most other retirement savings vehicles do not. For instance:

• There is no minimum distribution requirement, so you are not forced to take distributions from your account at a certain age. If you wish, you can even leave IRA money to your heirs.
• There is also no age limit for making contributions, making it an excellent option for older folks who continue to work into their golden years.
• Since you have already paid taxes on your contributions, you can withdraw them without tax or penalty.
• Tax-free distributions are allowed once you reach age 59.5 and have had your IRA for at least five years.

Individuals can also make a Roth IRA contribution for a non-working spouse who has no earned income.

Let Ubiquity Help You Decide Which Individual Retirement Plan is Right for You

With so many options for individual retirement plans, there is much to consider when settling on the best choice for you. Let us help guide you on the path that will yield the greatest benefits for your future. Contact Ubiquity and take those first steps today!

How to Get Coronavirus Aid for My Business

Siân Killingsworth / 5 May 2020 / Business

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides aid to small businesses with $349 billion set aside for job retention and economic injury disaster relief.

After the funds ran dry in a little less than two weeks, the House and Senate passed a second bill freeing up more than $400 billion in additional small business loans. This massive federal bill is the main source of coronavirus aid for small businesses, but it’s not the only option.

Paycheck Protection Program

Paycheck Protection Program loans will be available through June 2020, if the funds still exist. Borrowed funds are eligible for debt forgiveness when used for payroll, benefits, insurance premiums, mortgage interest, rent, utilities, and interest on other debt obligations.

Benefits of PPP loans are that:

• Borrowers can obtain 2.5x their average monthly payroll costs, to a maximum of $10 million.
• Payments can be deferred for six months, though interest still accrues.
• The interest rate is 0.5%.
• The term length is two years, but you could qualify for 100% loan forgiveness.

SBA Disaster Loans

SBA disaster loans funded through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program can ostensibly fund up to $2 million and should be available through December 31, 2020.

These loans are geared toward small businesses and nonprofits who need a financial life-line to cover fixed debts, employee payroll, utility bills, outstanding invoices, and business adaptations to facilitate ecommerce.

Advantages of disaster loans are that:

• Up to $2 million can be borrowed.
• Payments can be deferred six months with 0 APR.
• The interest rate is 2.75% for nonprofits and 3.75% for small businesses.
• Repayment terms can be stretched up to 30 years.

Main Street Loans

The Federal Reserve injected $600 billion for SMBs into the Main Street Lending Program on April 9, 2020. Loans are offered to companies with up to 10,000 employees or $2.5 billion in revenue.

Smaller businesses are encouraged to apply, but they must have at least $250,000 in Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization – and no debt. Companies with debt may still apply, but the EBITDA requirements may be higher.

Pros of main street loans include:

• Borrowers can take out loans of $1 million to $25 million.
• The term length is four years.
• Interest rates are variable from 2.5 to 4 percent.
• Payments can be deferred for one year.

Small Business 401(k) Retirement Plans

The CARES Act includes financial incentives for retirement plan participants looking for relief, notably:

• New distributions – Eligible 401(k) plan participants can take out distributions up to $100,000. The typical 20% federal income tax withholding and 10% early withdrawal penalty for those under age 59 ½ do not apply. Borrowers needn’t worry about typical plan limits when putting funds back in, as the distribution (and what you owe Uncle Sam in taxes) can be repaid to the plan within three years.
• Increased 401(k) plan loans – Qualifying 401(k) plan participants can borrow 100% of their vested account balance, up to $100,000, which is double the normal limit. More flexible repayment terms allow you to take up to one year to repay. One caveat is that employer plan sponsors must decide whether to allow the increased loans.
• Waived 2020 RMDs – Typically, individuals who are 72 or older in 2020 must begin to receive required minimum distributions from their plans. However, the CARES Act allows plan holders to suspend RMD payments for the year.

“Eligible” or “qualifying” plan participants include:

• A person diagnosed with COVID-19.
• A person whose spouse or dependent has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
• A person who has been quarantined, laid off, or furloughed – which has caused financial hardship.

Contact Ubiquity for more information on small business retirement plans that can help you save for retirement and weather a true financial crisis. Only Ubiquity provides access to 401(k) plan experts with over a decade of experience in plan design for small businesses – all for a low flat-fee.