Author Archives: Mark Nolan

Can I Contribute 100% of My Salary to my 401k? Watch: A full breakdown of employee, employer, and voluntary after-tax Solo 401k contribution rules for 2026. A common question from self-employed savers is whether they can put 100% of their paycheck into their Solo 401k. The short answer: sometimes, but only up to the applicable […]

How MUCH Can My Business Contribute to My Solo 401k? Watch: My Solo 401k Financial breaks down exactly how much your business can contribute to your Solo 401k for tax year 2026. One of the most common questions we get every year is: how much can my business contribute to my Solo 401k? The answer […]

How are Solo 401k Contributions REPORTED to IRS? This is one of the most common questions My Solo 401k Financial receives from owner-only businesses: how do I report the contributions I make to my Solo 401k to the IRS? The honest answer is — it depends. It depends on the type of contribution you’re making […]

Can a Solo 401k be SAFE HARBOR? This is a question My Solo 401k Financial hears regularly, especially from prospective Solo 401k clients: can a Solo 401k be a safe harbor plan? The short answer is no — and understanding exactly why reveals some important truths about how a Solo 401k is fundamentally different from […]

Does a Promissory Note NEED an Interest Rate? If you’re considering a promissory note investment inside your Solo 401k or self-directed IRA, one question comes up again and again: does the note actually need to charge interest? This guide answers that question directly — and covers everything else you need to know about structuring a compliant […]

Can TWO Business Owners Open a SOLO 401k? The name “Solo 401k” often leads people to assume the plan is strictly limited to a single individual. But that assumption is incorrect. This guide answers one of the most common questions self-employed business partners ask: can two business owners open and share a Solo 401k? The short […]

How MUCH Can I Borrow from SOLO funds? One of the most powerful features of a Solo 401k is the ability to borrow from your own retirement plan without triggering a taxable distribution. This is known as a Solo 401k participant loan, and it gives self-employed individuals access to cash when they need it — […]

What are the DISADVANTAGES of a Promissory Note? Investing a Solo 401k or self-directed IRA in a promissory note can be a powerful way to generate predictable interest income outside of the stock market. But like any investment, promissory notes come with real risks — and understanding those risks before committing retirement funds is essential. […]

  Why Invest in a Promissory Note? For Solo 401k investors looking to generate steady interest income beyond the stock market, promissory note investments offer a compelling alternative. Sometimes called private lending, a promissory note allows a self-directed Solo 401k to act just like a bank — lending money to qualified borrowers and collecting interest […]

  What is a 401k Promissory Note? A 401k promissory note is a topic that comes up frequently — and is just as frequently misunderstood. Is it an investment? Is it a loan? The answer is: it can be both. Understanding the distinction is essential for any Solo 401k plan participant who wants to make […]