Many or all companies we feature compensate us. Compensation and editorial research influence how products appear on a page. Personal Finance Gold Gold IRAs With Sign-Up Bonuses Updated Dec 11, 2024 4-min read Expert Approved Expert Approved This article has been reviewed by a Certified Financial Planner™ for accuracy. Written by Andy Rowe Written by Andy Rowe Expertise: Personal Loans, Credit Cards, Real Estate, Financial Technology Learn more about Andy Rowe Reviewed by Crystal Rau, CFP® Reviewed by Crystal Rau, CFP® Expertise: Equity compensation, oil & gas investments, education planning, investment planning, student loan planning, retirement Crystal Rau, CFP®, CRPC®, AAMS®, is a certified financial planner based out of Midland, Texas. She is the founder of Beyond Balanced Financial Planning, a fee-only registered investment advisor that helps young professionals and families balance living their ideal lives and being good stewards of their finances. Learn more about Crystal Rau, CFP® A gold individual retirement account (IRA) can allow for portfolio diversification and help you protect your wealth. To add to the benefits, companies often entice potential clients for a gold IRA with sign-up bonuses, such as Ifree silver, coins, or no fees. Gold IRA companies often offer sign-up bonuses as a promotion to attract new clients and stand out in a competitive market. Offering bonuses builds brand loyalty and makes a good first impression. Sign-up bonuses can boost your initial investment’s value with little to no fees and additional precious metals. For example, American Hartford Gold Group offers up to $15,000 in free silver + free storage, maintenance, and insurance for up to 3 years. Is there a catch with gold IRA sign-up bonuses? Gold IRAs can help you hedge against volatile markets, but you must meet certain requirements to take advantage. Here are some requirements to consider: Minimum investment: Patriot Gold requires a minimum investment of $100,000 to qualify for its bonus offer. Long-term commitment: American Hartford Gold Group requires you to maintain your account for up to three years to retain the benefits. Potential fees: Some bonuses offer to waive fees but not all companies are the same and some may charge a maintenance or storage fee for your gold IRA. Can I hold the bonus in my gold IRA even if it isn’t gold? The IRS allows you to hold gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in your gold IRA so long as they meet certain purity standards. Gold must be 99.5% pure (except for American Eagle coins), Silver must be 99.9%, and platinum and palladium each need to be 99.95% pure. Sign-up bonuses that include free silver or bonus coins must meet these standards to be included in your gold IRA. How to qualify for a sign-up bonus Want to qualify for a sign-up bonus when opening a gold IRA? Follow these steps: Research a provider: Research gold IRA providers with attractive sign-up bonus offers. Open a self-directed IRA account: Fill out the necessary paperwork online or contact customer service to start opening an account. Fund your account: Rollover funds from an existing IRA or 401(k) into your new gold IRA, or directly contribute up to $8000 each year. Choose your metals: Select the precious metals you would like to buy and hold in your account Claim your bonus: If you meet the conditions to receive the sign-up bonus, it will be applied to your account. Should I open a gold IRA just for the sign-up bonus? Sign-up bonuses are a nice perk, but they shouldn’t be your reason to invest in a gold IRA. Investments require a long-term mindset, a good understanding of economics, and experience with market volatility. It’s best practice is to choose a company that offers value, security, and excellent customer service. Rather than a sign-up bonus, consider a company’s reputation, customer service reviews, and fee structure before opening a gold IRA. A gold IRA is not a good fit for everyone. Consult with a financial advisor to determine whether this is beneficial for you. Crystal Rau CFP® FAQ Are there tax implications with a gold IRA sign-up bonus? Yes, there can be tax implications with a gold IRA sign-up bonus. The IRS typically considers sign-up bonuses as taxable income. If you receive a bonus for opening a gold IRA, you may need to report it as part of your gross income on your tax return. It’s essential to consult with a tax advisor to understand how such bonuses may affect your tax situation and ensure proper reporting. Can I combine sign-up bonuses from multiple gold IRA companies? In most cases, you cannot combine sign-up bonuses from multiple gold IRA companies. Each company will have its own terms and conditions regarding eligibility for their sign-up bonus. Typically, these offers are not stackable or combinable with bonuses from other companies. It’s important to read the fine print and understand each sign-up bonus offer’s specific requirements and limitations. How do I know a sign-up bonus is legitimate? To determine if a sign-up bonus is legitimate, consider the following steps: Research the company: Ensure the gold IRA company is reputable and well-reviewed. Check for accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and look for reviews from other customers. Read the terms and conditions: Carefully read the terms and conditions of the sign-up bonus. Legitimate offers will have clear and transparent requirements. Verify licensing and regulation: Confirm that the company is properly licensed and regulated by appropriate financial authorities. Contact customer service: Reach out to the company’s customer service to ask any questions you may have about the bonus offer. Legitimate companies will provide clear and helpful responses. Consult a financial advisor: If in doubt, consult with a financial advisor to ensure that the bonus offer is credible and that the gold IRA company is trustworthy.