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Self-Directed IRA Blog

Welcome to the Madison Trust Self-Directed IRA blog! Here, you will find posts about a wide variety of topics related to Self-Directed IRAs. Whether you're interested in learning about what you can invest in or you need a guide to help set up your account, you can find all the help and information you need right here.

Whether you're looking for information about account maintenance, investing in real estate, or setting up a checkbook IRA, we can help! New posts are always being added, so be sure to check back regularly to stay up-to-date on all of the information you need to know about investing with a Self-Directed IRA.

Let Our Self-Directed IRA Specialists Help You Gain Control of Your Investments

If you can't find information on the specific topic you're looking for, don't hesitate to reach out: We place a high value on transparency and clarity here at Madison Trust Company, and you're always welcome to contact us via email, phone, or online chat. Our CISP-trained team members are ready to answer your questions or assist you with setting up your new Self-Directed IRA.

Our dedication to client support is one of the main reasons why so many people rely on Madison Trust, along with our flat fee structure that never includes hidden or unexpected costs. No matter how much your Self-Directed IRA grows, your fees remain the same. Sign up for a Self-Directed IRA today and discover the Madison Trust advantage for yourself!

Avoiding Scams in a Self-Directed IRA Part 2 – Your Self-Directed IRA Should Watch Out For These Scams

Now that we have discussed educational resources and scam red flags, let’s get specific. There are a number of different kinds of scams that can target a Self-Directed IRA, but they all share the same basic structure. They offer some kind of alternative asset or system that is hard to find elsewhere, they make an extremely enticing claim regarding returns, and often there will be some kind of time-based push to get going. Let’s examine a few of the more […]
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December 13, 2021

Avoiding Scams in a Self-Directed IRA Part 1 – Education and Red Flags

Growing your Self-Directed IRA can be challenging even in the best of conditions. You have to evaluate potential investments, manage existing assets, and make sure that all the legal paperwork is maintained. What you don’t want to worry about is immoral scammers who are looking to make a fast score. Unfortunately, this kind of crime is a reality and it’s pervasive enough that investors need to […]
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December 6, 2021

How To Avoid Paying Extra Taxes and Penalties in a Self Directed IRA Part 4 – Prohibited Transactions

If there is one topic that dominates a lot of the Self-Directed IRA content, it’s prohibited transactions. The concept has become something of a bogeyman for Self-Directed IRA investors with articles warning in capital letters about its inherent dangers. There is no denying that in the context of a retirement account, committing a prohibited transaction is a bad idea. It can rack up […]
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November 29, 2021

How To Avoid Paying Extra Taxes and Penalties in a Self-Directed IRA Part 3 – Excess Accumulations

Self-Directed IRA account holders have a greater obligation to be aware of the IRS rules. Since they take a more active role in their retirement investing, they don’t always have the safety net which comes with an institutionalized platform. Usually this required awareness pertains to the improper use of Self-Directed IRA funds. The account holder could potentially take the funds out too early or invest them in a way deemed prohibited. But what about the opposite case? Can […]
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November 22, 2021

How To Avoid Paying Extra Taxes and Penalties in a Self-Directed IRA Part 2 – Early Distributions

When the government drafted ERISA, it was with the intent to incentivize Americans to save for retirement. It worked by giving them a tax break to keep their money in a special account and not touch it until retirement age. Well, what happens if you don't play by the rules? Specifically, what happens when you feel a need for cash and take funds out of […]
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November 15, 2021

How To Avoid Taxes with a Self-Directed IRA Part 1: Collectibles

Retirement plans have a built-in incentive: tax savings. This could be a tax deferral with a Traditional Self-Directed IRA or full tax freedom on growth with a Self-Directed Roth IRA. In either case, you don't want to ruin your economic gain by doing something that the IRS will charge you for. This is especially true […]
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November 12, 2021

Thanksgiving and Retirement: Planning and Diversifying

After spending an October filled with Halloween costumes, apple picking, pumpkin carving, and leaves changing colors, it’s time to start preparing for Thanksgiving. Who are you going to share your table with this year? What types of foods will you be preparing? What time will you be serving dinner? These are just a few questions […]
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November 10, 2021

Self-Directed Roth IRAs and the 5-Year Rule

The Roth IRA is a popular choice for self-directed investors due to the nature of alternative assets. A Self-Directed Roth IRA account allows investors to avoid tax liability on potentially large profits, as well as avoid RMDs in assets where the process may prove administratively challenging. However, there are some regulations unique to the Roth IRA and these apply in self-directed situations as well. One of […]
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How To Choose a Financial Advisor for Your Self-Directed IRA

If there is any one line that is ubiquitous in the investing literature, it is: “Speak with a financial advisor.” Your Self-Directed IRA custodian may be great at optimizing transactions, but they can’t give you financial advice. This is because a custodian is designated as a passive service and does not act as a fiduciary. Consequently, they cannot direct the Self-Directed IRA investment, offer a legal opinion about the viability of a specific asset, […]
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November 5, 2021

Opening a Self Directed Spousal IRA

A Self Directed Spousal IRA is a standard retirement account that utilizes a unique contribution method. In a regular Self Directed IRA, contributions are made from the account holder’s earned income. In the case of a Self Directed Spousal IRA, the contribution is still earned income, but it is not coming from the account holder. Rather, the contribution is being made by their spouse into the Spousal IRA account. Here we […]
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November 3, 2021
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