If you are unable to borrow from a bank or other outside source, your qualified retirement plan may be a good option. IRS guidelines permit a limited amount of borrowing from corporate qualified retirement plans, including 401(k) plans. In general, borrowings are limited to 50% of the participant’s account balance up to a maximum of 50,000 and must be repaid within five years unless the loan proceeds are used to purchase a principal residence). Hardship withdrawals (different from a loan, which must be repaid to the plan) from 401(k) plans are also permissible in certain circumstances. However, hardship withdrawals are taxable and subject to a 10% penalty if made before age 59 ½.
Tax law generally prohibits borrowing from IRAs. However, a distribution from an IRA followed by a redeposit of the funds into the same account or another IRA within 60 days of receipt of the funds will qualify as a tax-free rollover transaction. Once you have made such a tax-free rollover, you must wait at least one year from the date of receipt of the amount withdrawn from the particular IRA before becoming to participate in another similar transaction. This once-per-year rule is applied individually to each IRA. Therefore, a person who has more than one IRA may make a rollover once per year on each account. Your use of the funds for the 60-day rollover period is, in effect, a short-term loan. It is recommended that you not implement this strategy without careful planning.