- Self-Directed IRA
- What Is a Self-Directed IRA?
- Types of Accounts
- Traditional IRA
- Roth IRA
- Solo 401(k)
- SEP IRA
- SIMPLE IRA
- Inherited IRA
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Education Savings Account (ESA)
- Qualified Recordkeeping
- IRA Alternative Investments
- Real Estate
- Private Lending
- Checkbook IRA
- Private Placements
- Cryptocurrency
- Precious Metals
- Other Investments
- How much does it cost?
- Prohibited Transactions
- Contributions
- Distributions (RMDs)
- Fair Market Value
- Resources
- FAQs
What Is Fair Market Value?
The IRS requires owners of all retirement plans—self-directed or not—to report the fair market value (FMV) of assets held in their account(s) at the end of each year. The values must be assessed as of December 31st of the reporting year. The worth of your asset(s) is assigned based on an estimate of market value—not on the cost of the asset. Below are answers to frequently asked questions about FMV assessments and the process. We encourage you to consult with your tax professional to ensure proper completion and reporting of the valuations of assets in your retirement plans.
FAQs About Fair Market Valuations
Check out our fair market value FAQs below to find answers to the most common questions about your valuations. If don’t find your answers here or you’d like to talk with someone personally, please contact us today. You can also find more information about self-directed IRAs and alternative assets in our resources center.
Where do I get Form 5498?
If your accounts are held with Advanta IRA, you will receive this form from us. If your accounts are with another administrator, you should receive a form from them. The plan owner is responsible for ensuring all information on the form is current and correct.
Who pays the cost of valuations on assets in my self-directed IRA?
If the person or entity completing the valuation charges for the service, your IRA must pay the cost of the valuation. This is considered an expense relevant to the account. You are not allowed to pay for the FMV with your personal funds.
Who sends my FMV to the IRS?
While you are responsible for having valuations completed on the assets in your plan, your account administrator submits this information to the IRS for you. Advanta IRA submits FMVs on behalf of our clients using Form 5498.
Am I able to assign the value to my own assets?
You may be able to provide a fair market value yourself. But some assets require an independent, neutral person or entity to do so—someone who has no disqualifying relationship with you or your retirement plan. Consult a professional to determine what valuations you can make yourself and what valuations must be performed by a third party.
Depending on what assets your IRA holds, an attorney, CPA, or a financial planner could complete FMVs of your assets. If your investments are in real estate, a certified property appraiser, the county tax assessor, or other licensed real estate professional would suffice.
Do I have to provide an FMV for each asset my plan holds?
Yes. You must have FMVs done for each asset in your plan. For example, if your IRA owns two rental properties, you must provide an FMV for each property.
What is Form 5498?
This is a document your plan administrator submits to the IRS to report the FMV of your assets, including the following information:
- Recharacterization amounts of any funds (contributions and/or earnings) transferred from one IRA to another
- Roth IRA conversions of funds from traditional, SEP, or SIMPLE IRAs into Roth accounts
- Rollovers of funds into a traditional or Roth IRA; including qualified rollover contributions to a Roth account
- Contributions to your account (certain eligibility requirements apply depending on the type of your account, employee vs. employer contributions, contribution deadlines for your account, etc.)
Required minimum distributions (RMDs) are stated for the upcoming year (if you are eligible to take yearly RMDs).
What is the process for submitting FMVs to my plan administrator?
Requirements may vary for different retirement plan administrators. Below is Advanta IRA’s process for our clients:
Advanta IRA requires FMVs be submitted to us no later than March 15. This allows us to perform accurate and timely reporting to the IRS by the proper filing deadlines (which can vary depending on your account structure and type). The following process can be used as a guideline for compiling information relevant to FMVs to submit to your administrator:
- One form is required for each asset in your plan(s), assigning the value of each asset as of December 31st of the reporting year.
- Each form must be signed by you AND the qualified person who performed valuation of your asset(s).
- Any supporting documents (i.e., property appraisals, balance sheets, etc.) should be submitted with the FMV.
- FMVs are reported on IRS Form 5498.
Where can I download Advanta IRA’s FMV form?
Advanta IRA clients can download our FMV form and to complete and send to us.
Learn How to Properly Value Your Asset
Each of the videos below details what is needed to properly assess the fair market value of your asset. Click on the video that best matches your investment for more information. If you don’t see the information that you need, please contact us.
Fair Market Valuations on Assets in Your IRA
If you have any questions regarding FMVs, IRS rules governing them, or Advanta IRA’s role in the process, please contact us. While we cannot assist in determining the fair market value of your assets, we can answer your questions and fully explain the process and requirements to you. For assistance, please contact our office at 800.425.0653 to speak with your account manager or email us at [emailprotected].
