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Business Tax

Rollover for Business Startups (ROBS) Services

Starting a business is personal. So are the retirement savings you’re putting to work. Aprio helps you use a rollover for business startups structure to fund new businesses—without penalties or giving up control.

ROBS setup and compliance.
Founder-first advisory.
Full lifecycle support.

Account for Anything™ with Aprio

Financing a new venture often means finding the money before a lender will even consider the rest of the deal. Many founders assume their only options are high-interest debt or an early retirement withdrawal that triggers taxes and penalties before the business opens its doors. There is a better path. Aprio helps entrepreneurs use existing 401(k) or individual retirement account (IRA) savings, through a Rollover for Business Startups (ROBS) plan structured under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code, to fund a business purchase. Some clients use ROBS to fund the entire purchase price outright, while others use it to cover the down payment on a loan.

From C-Corporation formation and ROBS program setup to compliance documentation, rollover coordination, and ongoing advisory support, we help founders launch with confidence while preserving cash flow and maintaining ownership control.

Our Focus Areas

Aprio’s robust ROBS program helps founders launch, acquire, and grow businesses with compliant structures, while providing ongoing administration and integrated advisory support.

  • C-Corporation Formation & Registration

    Aprio helps establish the legal foundation for your ROBS arrangement by assisting with C-Corporation formation, state registration, EIN obtainment, and entity setup support aligned to aligned to ERISA and IRC requirements.

  • ROBS Plan Setup & Compliance Documentation

    We manage ROBS plan setup, including plan document drafting, plan adoption, IRS compliance documentation, and Qualified Employer Stock (QES) framework implementation to support a legally structured, IRS-recognized plan.

  • Rollover Coordination & Stock Execution

    Our team coordinates the retirement fund rollover process, direction-of-investment documentation, and stock purchase execution to guide you in using 401(k) to start a business without early withdrawal penalties and with reduced debt financing.

  • Founder Tax & Strategic Advisory

    With our strategic services, you get access to founder tax consultation, compensation strategy, equity planning, and financial model advisory to help you align personal financial goals with long-term business growth strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is rollover for business startups (ROBS)?

Rollover for Business Startups (ROBS), legally structured under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code, is a financing structure that helps entrepreneurs use existing 401(k) or IRA retirement funds to finance a new or existing business without early withdrawal penalties or tax liabilities. The retirement funds are rolled into a newly formed C-Corporation’s 401(k) plan, which then purchases stock in the company to provide business capital.

Is ROBS legal and IRS-compliant?

Yes. ROBS is legally structured under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code. Aprio structures every ROBS arrangement with compliance at the forefront, including plan document drafting, Qualified Employer Stock (QES) framework setup, rollover coordination, annual administration, and ongoing compliance monitoring to help maintain a defensible structure.

How does the ROBS 401k rollover process work?

The process starts with forming a new C-Corporation and establishing a qualified 401(k) plan. Retirement funds from an existing 401(k) or IRA are then rolled into the new plan, which purchases stock in the business to provide operating capital. Aprio manages the full process, including entity formation, plan setup, IRS documentation, rollover facilitation, and stock purchase execution.

Can I use ROBS to buy a franchise?

Yes. ROBS is one of the most popular funding vehicles for franchise purchases. Entrepreneurs roll their retirement funds into a C-Corporation that then uses the capital to pay franchise fees, build out locations, and fund initial operations.

Why should I choose Aprio for ROBS services?

Most ROBS providers only handle the setup and annual plan administration. Aprio wraps ROBS with corporate tax planning, founder personal tax advisory, compensation strategy, business valuation, and eventual M&A and exit support. This means you have one firm supporting your business throughout the full lifecycle—from funding through growth to exit, not just the initial rollover.

Proven Results

At Aprio, we help you access retirement capital through IRS-compliant ROBS financing structures backed by long-term advisory support.

0% EARLY WITHDRAWAL PENALTIES
ACROSS APRIO-ADMINISTERED ROBS ARRANGEMENTS
100% FOUNDER-CONTROLLED CAPITAL
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