Retirement & ROBS Articles
Business valuations for 401(k) rollovers (ROBS), ESOPs, and retirement-plan compliance — IRS requirements and common pitfalls.
Valuation for ESOP Feasibility: Is Your Company a Good Candidate for Employee Ownership?
Learn how business valuation, cash-flow capacity, management depth, repurchase obligations, and fiduciary considerations determine whether an ESOP may be practical.
Prohibited Transactions and the ROBS Exemption: The Role of Independent Appraisals
Learn how prohibited transaction rules, qualifying employer securities, adequate consideration, and independent business appraisals affect ROBS plans and annual reporting support.
Why Does the IRS Require an Annual Valuation for a ROBS 401(k)?
Learn why ROBS 401(k) plans need annual business valuations, how Form 5500 reporting, fiduciary duties, and private stock valuation rules apply, and what records to keep.
What Happens if I Miss the Valuation Deadline for My ROBS 401(k)?
Missed a ROBS 401(k) valuation deadline? Learn how to triage Form 5500-related reporting support, valuation dates, adviser coordination, and next steps.
How to Value Your Business When Unwinding or Exiting a ROBS Plan
Learn how ROBS exit and unwind valuations work, including valuation methods, plan-owned stock, Form 5500-related reporting support, documents, risks, pricing, and adviser coordination.
Book Value vs. Fair Market Value: What the IRS Expects for ROBS Reporting
Learn why ROBS plan-owned private company stock generally needs supportable fair market value analysis, rather than just book value, for plan asset reporting, Form 5500 support, and valuation documentation.
ROBS Valuations for Franchise Owners: Special Considerations
Learn how ROBS valuations for franchise owners address plan-owned stock, Form 5500 reporting support, FDD inputs, franchise fees, EBITDA, DCF, and SBV’s $399 report scope.
The Zero Value Myth: Can I Value My ROBS Business at $0 if I'm Losing Money?
The Zero Value Myth: Can I Value My ROBS Business at $0 if I'm Losing Money?
ROBS 401(k) Audits: How a Certified Valuation Helps Reduce IRS Penalty Risk
Learn how a professional ROBS 401(k) business valuation supports plan asset reporting, audit readiness, Form 5500 records, and defensible compliance documentation.
Can I Do My Own Business Valuation for a ROBS Plan?
Learn when owner-prepared ROBS valuation estimates are risky, why independent business appraisal support helps annual plan reporting, and how SBV’s $399 flat-fee ROBS valuation report can help.
How Much Does a ROBS Annual Valuation Cost?
Learn what drives the cost of a ROBS annual valuation, why private company stock needs supportable valuation, and how records, scope, methods, and compliance risk affect price.
What Is a Business Valuation for a ROBS 401(k) Plan?
Imagine being able to tap your 401(k) to start a business without paying early withdrawal penalties or taxes. A **Rollovers as Business Start-ups (ROBS)...
Is a ROBS 401(k) the Best Way to Finance My Business Startup?
Financing a new business startup is one of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face. **It costs money to start a business, and deciding how to fund your...
Can I Use ROBS for an Existing Business?
**Rollovers as Business Start-ups (ROBS)** are a specialized funding strategy that allows entrepreneurs to use their **401(k) or IRA retirement funds** to...
Role of Business Valuation in ESOP and 401(k)
Planning for retirement and business succession often involves navigating complex legal and financial terrain. For small business owners and financial...
Is Business Valuation Necessary When Using 401(k) Funds?
Using personal 401(k) funds to start or buy a small business is an increasingly popular financing method, especially through arrangements known as...
Small Business Valuation for 401(k) Rollovers (ROBS)
Using a 401(k) to fund a small business is an increasingly popular option for entrepreneurs, thanks to a structure known as ROBS (Rollovers as Business...
Rollover as Business Startup (ROBS) Providers and Business Valuation
**Introduction:** Using retirement funds to start or buy a business through a **Rollover as Business Start-up (ROBS)** arrangement is an increasingly...
Can I Use a Rollover to Buy a Franchise? ROBS Compliance
Franchise businesses are a booming part of the U.S. economy, with over 498,000 franchise establishments generating about $1.7 trillion in revenue as of...
IRS Requirements for Business Valuation in ROBS Plan
Starting a business with retirement funds through a ROBS plan (Rollovers as Business Startups) can be a smart financing strategy – **if** it's done...
Understanding 401(k) Rollovers as Business Startups (ROBS)
that has gained popularity among entrepreneurs is the 401(k) Rollover as Business Startup (ROBS). This strategy allows individuals to leverage their...
What Happens If the Business Valuation Is Too Low for ROBS?
Rollover as Business Startups (ROBS) arrangements offer entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to use retirement funds to finance a new business without...