What qualifies a married couple as an accredited investor under SEC guidelines?

To qualify as an accredited investor under SEC guidelines, a married couple must demonstrate a combined income exceeding $300,000 in the previous two years, with a reasonable expectation of maintaining that income level in the current year. This provision is designed to ensure that individuals or couples engaging in certain types of investments possess sufficient financial resources to assume the risks involved.

The threshold of $300,000 reflects the SEC's intent to allow access to investment opportunities to those with significant financial means, considering that investments in private placements or other high-risk ventures are typically illiquid and may involve a higher degree of risk compared to the public offerings.

Other considerations, such as ownership of a primary residence valued over $1 million or holding professional designations, do not specifically qualify a couple as accredited investors according to this income-based standard. The focus is primarily on their income level, as that is a clear measure of financial capability to engage in certain investment opportunities.