A precious metal IRA is a special form of self-directed individual retirement account. Self-directed IRAs allow you to invest in a wide variety of unconventional assets, including precious metals, real estate, and even cryptocurrencies. While most IRAs invest in more traditional assets such as stocks, bonds, and cash equivalents, the tax code also allows self-driving vehicles that may contain precious metals such as silver or gold. But this does not mean that all types of precious metals are allowed within a self-directed IRA.
The tax code designates specific gold, silver and platinum coins that qualify and sets the purity standards for gold, silver, platinum or palladium bars that can be held in these specialty accounts. Other forms of precious metals, such as coins and collectible jewelry, are not allowed. Although IRAs were once limited to holding American Eagle gold and silver coins, today IRAs can invest in IRS-permitted gold, silver, palladium, and platinum bars and coins. You can take the annual amount of RMD from the liquid account without touching the precious metals account.
Indeed, this general rule prohibits IRAs from investing in precious metals or coins made of precious metals. Willing trustees can be found through an Internet search and will be responsible for the physical storage of precious metal assets owned by IRAs. Orion Metal Exchange is a California-based company that offers gold IRAs and a variety of precious metals, coins and bullion. Finally, precision metals ETFs and mining stocks can also be held in taxable brokerage firm accounts with the federal income tax consequences explained here.
At the time, there were concerns that the acquisition of shares in a precious metals ETF by an IRA could be treated as the acquisition of a collector's item. The exception is that IRAs can invest in certain gold, silver and platinum coins and gold, silver, platinum and palladium bars that meet applicable purity standards. As such, the transaction is characterized for federal income tax purposes as a taxable distribution of the IRA followed by a purchase of the metal or currency by the IRA owner (that would be you). A Roth Gold IRA is a type of self-directed IRA that you can use to invest in various tangible assets such as art, antiques, collectibles, and even real estate.
Examples of unapproved precious metal products include pre-1933 gold, gold Krugerrands, and 90% American silver coins. Your self-directed IRA custodian can help you arrange for the transfer or transfer of your existing IRA to a precious metal IRA. Additional transaction fees may be charged, including contributions, distributions, and commissions for purchases and sales of precious metals (perhaps 2% to 5%). But that doesn't apply when investing in gold ETFs rather than owning physical gold, Frederick said.
