Articles Categorized in: Blog

Do I Need a Custodian for a Self Directed IRA?

When selecting a self-directed IRA custodian, it’s crucial that they specialize in your preferred asset class and fees comparisons are carried out to ensure maximum returns on investment. Consider finding a custodian who accepts professional valuations from third-party market experts or industry professionals as you search for alternative investments that may be difficult or impossible to value. What is a custodian? Custodians are companies that hold retirement assets on behalf of an individual. When managing self-directed IRAs, custodians should be...
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Is a Precious Metal IRA a Good Idea?

Even though precious metal IRAs offer certain advantages, investors should carefully assess all associated risks before investing. Most importantly, investors must locate a trusted dealer, custodian and depository that adheres to IRS rules. Gold can provide financial protection and diversification to your retirement portfolio, so read on to gain more knowledge of its advantages and risks. Inflation hedge Gold has historically served as an effective hedge against inflation, rising during periods of rising prices while its price decreases during times...
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What is the Best Way to Invest in Physical Gold?

Gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds offer one way of investing in physical gold. Tracking its price, they can be sold or liquidated like stocks while having lower management fees than individual products. Gold can be purchased from local dealers and investors can inspect it physically before making their investment decision. Unfortunately, such investments can be both time and cost intensive. Buying gold bars Gold bars are an ideal investment option for investors looking to diversify their portfolio. You...
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Can You Own ETFs in an IRA?

IRAs provide investors with a tax-advantaged platform for investing pretax or posttax dollars in various assets, from ETFs and mutual funds, which both boast their own set of benefits, to traditional bonds. Both asset classes possess their own set of differences that should be considered when creating an IRA portfolio. ETFs may be particularly advantageous for IRA accounts as they tend to be more tax-efficient than many mutual funds. However, investors must be mindful of trading fees which could reduce...
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Can an IRA Be Owned by an LLC?

An IRA owned by an LLC is ideal for hands-on investments like real estate. By eliminating the need to go through a Custodian for every investment transaction and minimizing fees, an LLC IRA makes investing easier. However, if an LLC engages in illegal transactions or generates taxable income, its costs could outweigh its savings. Legal Issues Although an IRA LLC is an increasingly popular investment tool among self directed IRA investors, its use isn’t without risk. Therefore, it is vitally...
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What is Not Allowed With a Self Directed IRA?

Self-directed IRAs allow greater investment flexibility; however, the Internal Revenue Service has regulations which prevent investing in certain types of assets such as transactions involving disqualified persons or sweat equity. Account holders with an IRA should be wary of prohibited transactions as their consequences could be severe. Engaging in such an act could result in your retirement account losing its tax-exempt status and become subject to federal taxes. Self-dealing Self-directed IRAs allow investors to invest in various alternative assets. However,...
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Are Gold American Eagle Coins Worth Anything?

Gold American Eagle coins are an attractive investment option due to their government backing. Available in one-tenth, one-half, one-fourth and full one-ounce coin sizes, they contain small amounts of silver and copper to prevent wear over time and reduce scratch resistance. These coins are easy to buy and sell because they carry legal tender face values and come in space-saving Treasury tubes. Plus, their high resale value keeps you ahead of the game! Price Gold American Eagle coins, like other...
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Should Gold Stocks Be in My Roth IRA?

Gold can provide a hedge against inflation, but it may not perform as well compared to other retirement investments. Physical gold doesn’t pay any dividends or yield, and cashing out an IRA requires paying its wholesale price directly to a dealer. Additionally, gold IRAs tend to carry higher fees. Investing in Gold Are You Planning Your Retirement Portfolio with Gold? When diversifying your retirement portfolio, gold may be a wise investment choice. Being non-correlated to stocks, it provides a hedge...
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Can I Contribute to a Gold IRA?

Gold and other precious metals can make for an excellent diversifier in your retirement savings portfolio, protecting against inflation while helping balance out any single asset class that might otherwise dominate it. Before making any definitive decisions about gold IRAs, it’s essential to carefully assess their merits and demerits. Taxes While gold IRA companies make investing easy, you must still understand which IRS taxes apply based on whether or not you’re making a direct transfer or performing a rollover from...
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When Should I Sell My IRA Stock?

Many investors don’t realize that trading an IRA has different tax ramifications than trading in a taxable account. Learn to utilize the wash-sale rule and tax loss rules in order to minimize your taxable gains. Clients frequently inquire whether selling stocks from their IRA to meet required minimum distributions (RMDs) can help meet RMDs. The answer to this question largely depends on factors like age and how long one has held onto shares in their IRA. 1. Long-Term Gains Asset...
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