An IRA custodian or trustee is accountable for safeguarding an Individual Retirement Account in their care, but not all custodians offer equal services. Self-Directed IRA custodians offer non-prohibited alternative investments at the discretion of their IRA owners, such as real estate and private equity (including note investing). Fee schedules and commissions should be carefully considered when choosing a custodian or administrator, including annual account maintenance fees, load fees on mutual funds and trade commissions. The Custodian Custodians of individual retirement...
Read More
An Individual Retirement Account, or IRA, allows you to set aside funds without incurring taxes until withdrawing them in retirement – typically at a lower tax rate than at higher earnings levels. Many life events can place you into a higher tax bracket, such as inheriting money or selling property, but with proper planning you can avoid these surprises and stay within the law. Taxes on IRA withdrawals As a general rule, any distributions from an IRA are taxed like...
Read More
Physical gold can be purchased in the form of bars and coins or as an investment through a precious metals IRA. When making your purchase, make sure your chosen provider offers transparent pricing as well as no extra charges for storage or closing your account. Gold has its uses, but should not form the core of any retirement portfolio. Due to its highly volatile price fluctuations and regular price decreases, its inclusion could void your pension savings plan altogether. It’s...
Read More
Establishing a retirement plan for your employees may seem intimidating. Luckily, there are multiple solutions available to you. SIMPLE IRAs may be one viable solution. Like traditional IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs impose an early withdrawal fee of 10 percent; unless an exception applies. How to Transfer a 401(k) to a SIMPLE IRA As a small-business owner, you may have several retirement savings options to select from. One popular choice among these accounts is the SIMPLE IRA plan, with its distinct rules....
Read More
An LLC inside a Self-Directed IRA opens up more options for alternative investments and streamlines the investment process by cutting paperwork and eliminating custodian involvement. An IRA LLC may be used for real estate investments ranging from single-family homes to multi-family developments as well as contracts for sale or lease options, though it may not be suitable for all alternative assets. Taxes An LLC structure within a Self-Directed IRA can be an excellent vehicle for investing in alternative investments like...
Read More
Announcing the opening of the first state-backed gold depository in America. This is excellent news for any individual with precious metals laying around. The Depository Act, introduced by Southlake Representative Giovanni Capriglione and signed into law in 2015 by then Governor Greg Abbott, proposed creating a state-run facility which would enable Texas to repatriate over $1 billion worth of gold bullion to its home state. State Comptroller Glenn Hegar has joined forces with Austin-based Lone Star Tangible Assets in operating...
Read More
Keep gold out of your home to avoid distribution penalties and maintain tax-deferred status; according to IRS regulations, metals purchased via an IRA should be stored safely under its LLC name in an off-site depository facility such as a safe deposit box. But you can avoid these penalties by investing in a self-directed gold IRA instead. Here’s how. The IRS Doesn’t Allow It Precious metals are at risk from theft and natural disasters alike. Storing your precious investment at home...
Read More
IRAs are popular investment vehicles that provide tax benefits and investment flexibility, as well as offering the option to diversify retirement portfolios with alternative assets like Bitcoin. A cryptocurrency IRA is an individual retirement account that enables you to invest in digital currencies, like Bitcoin. This type of investment account typically uses self-directed custodianship that offers alternative investments as its backstop. Taxes Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies may have captured investors’ imagination with their skyrocketing prices, but investors must remember that...
Read More
Gold investments are an attractive option for diversifying an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Unfortunately, standard custodians do not provide this specialty account type. Instead, you must find a self-directed IRA company offering physical gold investments as the solution. These companies specialize in purchasing precious metal coins and bullion that meet IRS fineness standards, as well as shares in precious metal exchange-traded funds. Taxes Gold has long been seen as an attractive investment option during times of economic stress, because it...
Read More
Direct rollover is the ideal method for moving a 401(k) account to an IRA, as this will protect against income taxes and early withdrawal penalties if you’re under 59 1/2. IRAs offer many advantages not found in workplace retirement plans, including more investment choices and enhanced tax benefits. Learn about all your options for rolling over your 401k into an IRA. 1. Direct rollover Transfers and Direct Rollovers are the two ways of moving funds between retirement accounts without incurring...
Read More