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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 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

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

Community Property in Allocating a Self-Directed IRA

In cases of divorce or inheritance, who gets the Self-Directed IRA? It sounds like a simple question, but anything having to do with finance and government rules is almost never simple. Any time assets need to be allocated, there is often a complicated mix of federal laws, state regulations, and personal circumstances. In the case of deciding ownership of a Self-Directed IRA, those […]
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November 1, 2021

Who Will Inherit Your Self-Directed IRA Funds?

Family dynamics can be stressful. Add money to the mix and it gets even crazier. That’s why when the two come together, being proactive is often your best bet. By taking control of the situation from the get-go, you can get ahead of a lot of the family dissent. Your move to clarity will also be doing a big favor for […]
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October 29, 2021

When a Self Directed IRA Goes Small

When a Self Directed IRA account holder starts researching rental properties, multifamily homes are always at the top of the list. These can provide numerous rental incomes while consolidating management into one small convenient area. However, multifamily homes come with their own challenges. Neighbors often don’t get along, and with multiple units, it seems as if somebody is always having an issue. Luckily for Self Directed IRA investors, a new […]
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October 25, 2021

How To Invest in a Foreign Property with a Self Directed IRA - Part 3

Which countries are amenable to retirement investing?  Many have their Self Directed IRA explore international property because they want a new home after they retire. If that’s the case for you, then it pays to research beforehand the countries that may be your best destination. When you look into these countries, you actually have to pay attention to two very different aspects.  Affordable Locations to Retire  Here is a sampling of foreign locales to […]
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October 13, 2021
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