Can You Own Commodities in an IRA?
There are various methods of investing in commodities, including physical ownership of precious metal coins or bullion. Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) may also invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track these commodities; typically structured as grantor investment trusts.
These investments may offer diversification benefits as they tend to have low correlations with stocks and bonds, as well as helping hedge against inflation.
Physical ownership
If you have been following gold prices this summer, chances are you have seen advertisements extolling the virtues of investing in precious metals with an IRA-backed precious metals investment plan. Unfortunately, an IRA does not permit collectibles such as gold to be stored within its confines – which makes such plans impractical in reality.
This restriction to IRA investments comes from concerns that stolen artwork could be used to hide assets in retirement accounts. As a result, the IRS recently amended their rule so IRAs may invest in certain coins and bullion that meet purity standards.
To take advantage of this IRA exemption, investors need to establish a self-directed IRA and find an approved depository to store precious metals. Many gold IRA companies provide custodial services or can refer you to an approved depository or broker/dealer; some require minimum deposits of $10,000 or more. Unlike stocks, bonds, and mutual funds that produce dividends or interest income that is taxed when withdrawn from storage – physical gold does not.
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
Investment in precious metals through mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or other IRA-approved vehicles is an appealing alternative for those looking to diversify their retirement portfolio without incurring physical ownership issues such as storage and insuring costs for coins or bullion – an ETF may save on both storage and insurance costs by serving as an intermediate platform.
IRAs offer investors a means of investing in precious metal ETFs that track specific commodities, like gold or silver, but investors should be wary that these funds may present tax issues – specifically futures contracts could pose annual income tax reporting difficulties for such ETFs.
Investors in Exchange-Traded Funds will receive an Annual K-1 from the issuer of their ETF each year detailing capital gains and losses, which could potentially have an adverse impact on an IRA’s tax situation. A qualified investment adviser may offer guidance in this matter.
Precious metals
Precious metals are naturally-occurring metals with high economic value that are rare and naturally-occurring, such as gold. Their economic value makes them ideal for use as an inflation hedge and have historically been seen as safe investments during times of geopolitical unease. Investors can purchase precious metals through various channels including purchasing physical coins or bullion directly or investing in ETFs that track its price.
An Individual Retirement Account (IRA) offers investors seeking to diversify their portfolio with precious metals several options for doing so. Aside from purchasing physical gold, silver, and platinum coins and bullion coins or bullion bars, IRA owners may invest in mining stocks or ETFs that track specific precious metal prices.
Note, however, that the IRS typically considers gains on the sale of precious metals ETFs to be ordinary income rather than capital gains due to them being classified as grantor trusts for tax purposes – thus investors should consult a trusted investment and tax adviser prior to making this type of purchase.
Mining stocks
Mining stocks offer investors who prefer taking an active approach an excellent opportunity to own part of the resources that fuel daily lives and drive innovations such as transportation and electric vehicles (EVs). Furthermore, mining stocks have the added bonus of offering tax-sheltered returns with tax breaks applied against any returns generated.
As with ETFs and precious metals investments, mining stocks involve risk. Before adding them to your IRA portfolio, it’s essential that you clearly define your investing goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance.
If you choose a mining stock, take care to research its reserves and debt load carefully. The most profitable mining stocks have diversified reserve bases that reduce dependence on mineral prices or political stability in any single region or country; less likely relying on gearing to boost profits; also being mindful of costs structures: investment trusts typically charge fees to manage assets they invest in.
Categorised in: Blog