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Lesson · Alt assets · investing

The asset that isn't anyone's liability.

Gold and silver are a hedge you can hold — even inside an IRA, if you follow the rules on which metals qualify and how they must be stored.

10%
Extra penalty if you take IRA metal home early

WORKED EXAMPLE

$50,000 GAIN ON BULLION

$50,000 gain$50,000 gain
Up to 28% tax0% if qualified
$14,000 to the IRS$0 to the IRS

HOW YOU OWN IT

PAPER METAL VS REAL METAL

ETFs, mining stocksCoins and bars
No storage neededStorage and insurance
Counterparty riskYou hold the asset

How it works

BUYING METAL IN AN IRA

1
Open a self-directed IRACustodian holds the account
2
Fund it, then pick eligible metalPurity rules apply
3
Custodian pays the dealerNever you, personally
4
Metal ships to a depositoryTitled to the IRA

Key points

WHAT AN IRA CAN HOLD

Gold Eagles: yes
Silver Eagles: yes
.995 gold bars: yes
Pre-1933 gold: no
Graded rare coins: no
Home safe storage: no

Key points

SIX QUESTIONS FOR ANY DEALER

What is the spread?
Price versus spot today
Written buyback policy
Purity and mint stamped
Insured, tracked shipping
Depository fee schedule

Free download

The Precious Metals field guide — one page

The strategy, the checklist, the key numbers, and links to the actual tax code. Print it, take it to your CPA. Free, no strings.

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Field guide · PDF

Precious Metals

Cliff notes + checklist + the law

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The law behind it

Primary sources

Verify against the source before you rely on it. This is education, not legal or tax advice.

26 U.S.C. Sec. 408(m) — The collectibles rule and the bullion exception — which precious metals an IRA can hold, and the storage requirement.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/408

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