How to invest in alternative assets with Carry IRAs

Carry IRAs allow you to invest in alternative assets through tax-advantaged retirement plans. This is for clients who already have an investment opportunity you want to participate in. Some examples of investments are: private companies, real estate, or shares of a sports team.

Alternative investing is only available on the Carry Pro subscription tier.

If you’re on the Carry subscription basic tier, you can upgrade your plan at any time by clicking your initials on the top right > Settings > Billing > and clicking on the 'Manage' Plan button next to Subscription.

The IRA contribution limit for 2025 is $7,000 if you’re under 50 years of age, and $8,000 if you’ll be at least 50 years of age by December 31, 2025.

You can do this from the Home page of the carry website '+ Add New Account'

Either make a new contribution or transfer funds into your Carry IRA to use to invest. Once the cash when you click into the cash tab shows as 'available to withdraw' - you will be able to use the funds for your Alternatives investment.

> Select your IRA account

> Click on Investments tab

> Select 'Alternatives', it it's not there click 'Add Investment' and select Alternatives and complete the flow

> Click 'Add Investment' on the bottom center of the screen

> Confirm the details on the screen and click Continue

> Input the investment amount, investment type, investment name and investment description

> Answer the additional questions about the investment and click Continue

> On this next screen you will be given wire details for future investment proceeds or dividends. Keep a record of this information for your reference and click Continue

> Upload supporting documentation for the investment (this is required) and hit Continue

> Select Funding method of either wire or check and input the details and hit Continue

> You will see a confirmation screen of how much cash from your account ie being allocated to fund the investment (If you don't have cash in your account yet you can exit out and the investment will be saved as a draft. You can then deposit funds to your account and come back to invest once the cash is available.)

> Click Continue

> Confirm your investment details and click Continue

> Confirmation screen will appear, click Finish

The Carry IRA Plan is a self-directed IRA plan with checkbook control. With checkbook control, your IRA funds are kept in their own checking account. As the trustee of the plan, you can wire funds and write checks from that account when you want to make investments.

With checkbook control, you can invest in alternative assets like:

• Startups

• Private equity

• Real estate

Checkbook control is be available directly within the Carry.

Certain investments are prohibited by our financial partners or by the IRS for IRA accounts. These prohibited investments include:

Assets or businesses involved in cryptocurrency trading, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), collectibles, alcohol, unapproved coins and metals, S-corp stock, gambling, third-party payment processors, money service businesses, shell banks, hard money lenders, cannabis-related businesses, religious organizations or adult entertainment.

Any illegal activities.

Any entity, investor, responsible party, or beneficial owner(s) residing or working in a sanctioned or prohibited country.

See full list here

Investments in companies, property, or other assets that you or a family member control, live in, or otherwise benefit from can be “self-dealing” and are prohibited. Do your due diligence. Investing in alts can be highly risky. Be sure to diligence the deal and the sponsor/originator.

The above is not exhaustive. You can find more information from the IRS See full list here, as well as IRS publication 590A and IRC 4975. Consult with an attorney if you’re not sure if your investment is prohibited.

Because alternative investments are complex procedures, this investment flow is more of an intake form for us to get details about your investment.

Once we receive your investment information, our team will then reach out to you with more details about the process, as well as get a better understanding of what you’re trying to purchase.

When we have everything we need, we’ll send the investment for approval through our IRA custodian. Once approved, we’ll be able to move your money to fund your investment.