Articles Categorized in: Blog2

Can the Government Take My Gold?

There is a widespread belief that gold can be confiscated by government officials. This misconception stems from President Roosevelt’s 1933 gold grab, although this was more of an act of nationalisation with citizens receiving compensation in return. Governments now face considerable diplomatic backlash and legal hurdles if they attempted to enforce such orders, making foreign storage one of the best ways to shield your gold from potential confiscation orders. How it works While less-than-reputable bullion dealers and companies may claim...
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How to Get a Medallion Stamp

Finding a medallion stamp can be challenging, as most financial institutions that offer them prefer existing customers over potential ones. A medallion stamp serves as a high-security ink that verifies an individual’s signature and legal authority to transfer securities. Transferring securities between accounts can be necessary when moving them between accounts, giving them as gifts or transferring ownership after someone passes away. What banks offer medallion signature guarantee? Medallion signature guarantees are available through participating banks and credit unions in...
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What is a Gold IRA and How Does it Work?

Gold IRAs are unique retirement investment accounts that allow investors to use their retirement savings to purchase precious metals. Since these self-directed accounts allow the investor to decide how and what to invest in, their assets are under their own management and they have control of what goes in them. Gold IRAs provide many advantages, including tax savings and diversification benefits. Furthermore, they can serve as an insurance policy against inflation; however, like any investment there can be risks involved....
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Investing in Alternative Assets in a Self-Directed IRA

Self-directed Individual Retirement Accounts (SDIRAs) allow investors to invest in alternative assets; however, an IRS-approved custodian such as a bank or trust company must handle paperwork, transactions and compliance issues on your behalf. Your options for investing can be vast; however, certain restrictions exist such as prohibitions against investing in life insurance and collectibles. It is imperative that you carefully follow all rules in order to avoid prohibited transactions that could incur penalties and taxes. Investing in Alternative Assets Alternative...
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An IRA For Gold and Silver Can Diversify Your Retirement Portfolio

An Individual Retirement Account for gold and silver offers tax advantages as a means to diversify your retirement portfolio, though prior to any large allocations of precious metals it would be prudent to consult with a financial professional first. IRS rules permit IRAs to invest in precious metals such as silver bullion, with certain coins meeting minimum fineness requirements and being stored in an approved depository. Investors purchasing physical metals must store them properly. Precious Metals Dealers Precious metals dealers...
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Sales Tax on Gold and Silver in California

California allows bullion and numismatic coins purchased individually that exceed $1500 to be exempt from sales tax, while accessory items like tubes and holders remain subject to sales tax. Individuals with financial prudence often keep reserves of gold and silver as protection from unexpected events or economic turmoil. Applying sales taxes to precious metals punishes those who follow an effective savings strategy, with tax imposed as part of any such savings plan penalizing those who pursue a prudent and diversified...
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Where is the Best Place to Invest in an IRA?

Investment in an individual retirement account (IRA) is an effective way to build wealth for the future, but not all IRAs offer equal returns; bank assets yielding only one percent annualized percentage yield or brokerage accounts with high fees can diminish investment returns and deter returns from your portfolio. Schwab offers savers an impressive array of savings opportunities, with no minimum deposit requirement, free online listed equity trades, and plenty of no-commission mutual funds available to invest in. In addition,...
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Where Should I Store Precious Metals in My House?

When it comes to precious metals, it’s essential that they be stored safely – but there are numerous methods available. At-home storage can be an attractive solution for those who wish to keep their bullion safe from public scrutiny; however, this method carries certain risks; standard homeowners’ policies typically do not cover gold or silver as part of their coverage. 1. Safe Deposit Boxes People use safe deposit boxes to safely keep important documents such as birth certificates, property deeds,...
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How to Buy Gold in a Self-Directed IRA

Gold can provide investors with a much-needed safe haven in times of economic instability, as well as help diversify a retirement portfolio. Most conventional IRAs restrict investments to paper assets like stocks, bonds and mutual funds; but with a Self-Directed Precious Metals IRA you have access to physical bullion in a tax-advantaged account. IRA Custodians Self-directed IRAs allow you to invest in alternative assets, like precious metals. A custodian will manage the transaction, while a depository is needed to store...
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Is it Better to Buy Coins Or Bars?

No single answer exists when it comes to investing precious metals; your decision depends on both your goals and preferences. However, one strategy for increasing diversification would be purchasing both coins and bars as part of a precious metals portfolio. Gold bars often boast lower premiums and higher gold content, making them attractive investments for some investors. Coins offer more numismatic appeal due to their smaller denominations – which makes them appealing investments for collectors. They are easy to trade...
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