Articles Categorized in: Blog

How Are Gold Investments Taxed?

Gold investment strategies come in many shapes and forms, from physical bullion to shares in mining companies. Gains from such investments are subject to long-term capital gains tax rates when sold; investors should keep accurate records in order to avoid paying too much when selling. Physical gold is considered a collectible and therefore subject to higher tax rates than normal capital gains rates. Investors should also keep in mind the Net Investment Income Tax surtax that could add additional taxes...
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Can I Transfer My 457 to a Roth IRA?

Answering this question depends on several variables. First, it’s important to understand how a 457 plan operates – typically offered by government employers as nonqualified retirement plans with contributions tax-deferred until withdrawal. However, unlike with a 401(k), withdrawals from 457 plans don’t incur an early withdrawal penalty. Taxes Dependent upon the account it’s transferred into, transferring a 457(b) into an IRA could either be tax-free or subject to penalties if done within 60 days. Consolidation could occur and potentially allow...
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What Investment is Better Than Gold?

Gold‘s returns over time can be impressive, yet it’s crucial to balance these gains against opportunity costs and sunk costs before investing. Gold has long been considered an effective hedge against inflation; however, its track record can vary widely; an S&P 500 ETF could provide more effective inflation protection than any handful of golden coins. Real Estate Real estate requires a larger initial investment than gold but offers greater potential for capital appreciation and rental income. Furthermore, its value can...
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Can I Hold Gold in a Self-Directed IRA?

Self-Directed IRAs allow investors to invest in any asset, including precious metals like gold, silver and platinum. Before you begin investing, however, there are some key points you need to keep in mind before diving in. First and foremost, your metals must meet IRS standards or they could count as distributions and incur a 10% penalty if you’re under 59.5. Self-Directed IRAs Self-directed IRAs offer unparalleled flexibility, but the IRS has strict rules about which investments may and may not...
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Why is My IRA Losing Money?

Traditional or Roth IRAs allow you to invest your money without incurring taxes until distributions are made, giving you more flexibility than a taxable account would offer in terms of choosing where your investments go; such as stocks or more conservative alternatives like CDs. No matter how secure an investment may be, even the best can sometimes lose money over time. Your IRA could be at risk due to several reasons; 1. You’re investing too much Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)...
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Does the IRS Audit a Self Directed IRA?

The IRS enforces several regulations regarding investments made with SDIRAs. Any violation could incur serious fees; for example, renting property to disqualified tenants or purchasing physical gold that does not meet purity standards could incur severe fines and penalties. Take steps to independently verify any information, such as prices or asset values provided in account statements. What Is an IRA? Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) help people save for retirement by lowering taxable income. Traditional IRAs invest in stocks, mutual funds...
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Can You Invest in Gold in a Roth IRA?

Gold IRAs may be costly due to dealer, custodian and storage fees; investors should explore other investment alternatives like ETFs and gold mining stocks which may be less expensive. Prior to investing, investors must carefully assess their retirement goals and objectives as well as investigate any prospective precious metals dealers or custodians including track records, fees and transparency policies. Costs Gold IRAs offer investors who seek tangible assets a way to diversify their portfolio against economic uncertainties while providing tax-free...
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Are ETFs Better For a Roth IRA?

To determine which ETFs are appropriate for your Roth IRA, first take into account your investment goals and anticipate how long you plan to be retired for. ETFs offer cost, tax and flexibility advantages over mutual funds; however, they should not be used as an investment for assets that generate regular cash payouts like bonds. Cost ETFs offer many investors an attractive low cost investment option, and ETFs in particular may appeal to novice investors who don’t wish to incur...
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Can Gold Be Liquidated?

Gold is considered a highly liquid asset, meaning that it can quickly and easily be converted to cash – making it an ideal investment during periods of economic distress or upheavals. However, it is best to avoid selling gold to pawn shops or “cash for gold” businesses as these typically offer lower prices for your metals and often fail to recognize the true worth of your coins and bars. How to Sell Your Gold Selling gold jewelry, coins or bullion...
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How Do I Put Precious Metals in My IRA?

For investing in precious metals in an IRA, consider opening a self-directed IRA with a custodian that permits physical coins or bullion investments as well as ETFs or mutual funds that track precious metal prices. However, precious metals should only add some flair to your retirement portfolio, rather than becoming the core component. They are costly investments that don’t yield dividends or interest payments. Gold Interested in adding physical precious metals, like gold bars and coins, to your retirement portfolio?...
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