Self-Directed Precious Metals IRA

Gold and silver have historically held value when paper assets are under pressure from inflation or market shocks. Holding them inside a self-directed IRA shelters any price appreciation from annual tax. Inside a Traditional IRA, gains are taxed only when you take distributions in retirement. Inside a Roth IRA, qualified distributions come out tax-free.

The IRS rule on IRA-eligible metals bans collectibles in IRAs, then carves out two paths. First, certain U.S.-minted coins are eligible by name, including American Gold and Silver Eagles. Second, gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion is eligible if it meets the fineness floors of 99.5% (gold), 99.9% (silver), and 99.95% (platinum and palladium), and if it is held in the physical possession of the trustee or custodian. Numismatic coins, rare collector coins, and metals that fail the fineness test are not eligible.

No. The IRS rule on IRA-eligible bullion requires that bullion be held in the physical possession of the trustee or custodian. The Tax Court confirmed in McNulty v. Commissioner, 157 T.C. No. 10 (2021), that taking personal possession of IRA-owned coins is a taxable distribution of the full value, plus a 10% additional tax if you are under 59½. Accuplan stores all IRA metals at an insured third-party depository.

The IRA can buy from any independent coin or bullion dealer at arms length. It cannot buy from a disqualified person under the IRS prohibited-transaction rules. That rules out you, your spouse, your lineal ancestors and descendants, their spouses, and any business those people control 50% or more of. Buying from a dealership your father owns, or selling your own coin collection to your IRA, is a prohibited transaction. Read more on disqualified persons.

Two penalty paths apply, depending on who caused the violation. Under the IRS rules on IRA disqualification, when the IRA owner causes the violation, the entire IRA is treated as distributed on January 1 of that year. The full balance becomes taxable income, plus a 10% additional tax if you are under 59½. Under the IRS excise-tax rules, when another disqualified person is the cause, that person owes a 15% penalty tax that grows to 100% if not corrected within the correction window.

Generally no. Metals do not generate ordinary income inside the IRA, and price appreciation is not taxed until you take a distribution. UBIT and UDFI do not apply to passively-held metals. More on UBIT and UDFI.

Required minimum distributions begin at age 73, rising to 75 in 2033 under SECURE 2.0. Metals do not have a daily market price the way stocks do, so plan ahead. You can keep cash in the account to satisfy RMDs, sell part of the metals, or take an in-kind distribution of physical coins or bars equal to the RMD amount. Roth IRAs have no RMDs for the original owner. IRS, RMD FAQs.

Yes, through an in-kind distribution. After age 59½ you can request that specific coins or bars be shipped to you instead of sold. The fair market value at the time of distribution is reported as taxable income in that year for a Traditional IRA, or comes out tax-free from a qualified Roth distribution.

Three categories. A one-time setup fee for the account, an annual administrative fee, and a monthly storage fee at the depository. Fees vary by account size and whether storage is segregated or commingled. See current fees or contact us for a quote on your situation.

Accuplan collects the year-end valuation from the depository. The fair market value is reported to the IRS on Form 5498. You do not file the form yourself.