Gold IRA in Austin-Round Rock
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission when a reader opens an account through links on this page. The commission has no effect on what you pay or on what we publish. We are not a financial or tax advisor; consult a licensed advisor for your situation. Last reviewed July 2026.
Ready to explore a gold IRA from the Austin-Round Rock metro?
Augusta Precious Metals provides a free gold IRA checklist for Texas residents with $50,000 or more eligible to roll over. Get the free Augusta checklist (opens Augusta’s site; we may earn a commission).
Short on time? The essentials
- A gold IRA is a self-directed IRA holding IRS-approved physical precious metals instead of stocks or bonds. Silver, platinum, and palladium are eligible alongside gold under the same account structure.
- The Austin-Round Rock metro covers five counties: Travis (Austin, state capital), Williamson (Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander), Hays (Kyle, Buda, San Marcos), Bastrop, and Caldwell. Your county does not restrict your custodian or depository choice.
- Texas has no state personal income tax. Gold IRA distributions for Austin-Round Rock metro residents are taxed at the federal level only, with no Texas state layer on RMDs, early withdrawals, or Roth conversions.
- The Texas Bullion Depository in Leander is inside the metro (Williamson County). Its operator, Lone Star Tangible Assets LP, received IRS nonbank trustee approval in 2023. It offers segregated-only storage under Texas Comptroller oversight, insured through Lloyd’s of London. Equity Trust Company is the first custodian publicly coordinating IRA accounts with the depository.
- Major rollover sources across the metro include 401(k) plans from Dell Technologies (Round Rock HQ), Samsung Austin Semiconductor, Apple, Tesla, Oracle, and IBM; TRS accounts for teachers at Round Rock, Pflugerville, and other metro school districts; ERS for state employees in Austin; TCDRS for Williamson and Hays County employees; and COAERS for City of Austin employees.
- Annual IRA contribution limits for 2026: $7,500 standard; $8,600 for those age 50 or older (the $1,100 catch-up). These limits apply across all of your IRAs combined, not per account. Source: IRS Retirement Topics.
- Typical annual fixed costs: $75 to $300 for custodian administration and $100 to $300 for depository storage, billed separately by each provider. Dealer markups at purchase are additional.
- Harry’s Coins is a Texas editorial authority. We have no store or office anywhere in the Austin-Round Rock metro.
On this page
- What a gold IRA is
- Texas has no state income tax
- The Texas Bullion Depository is inside this metro
- Rollover paths across the five-county metro
- Which metals qualify for an IRA
- How to open a gold IRA from Austin-Round Rock
- Check your rollover eligibility
- What a gold IRA costs
- Where your IRA metal is stored
- Worked example: a Round Rock tech worker’s rollover
- When a gold IRA is not the right move
- Frequently asked questions
What a gold IRA is
A gold IRA is a self-directed individual retirement account (SDIRA) that holds physical precious metals in place of stocks, bonds, or mutual funds. The IRS calls this structure a self-directed IRA. It carries the same contribution limits, distribution rules, and tax treatment as any traditional IRA.
The key structural difference: the account must be managed by an IRS-approved nonbank trustee or qualified custodian, not a brokerage or bank. That custodian holds the account, executes metal purchases on your direction, and coordinates delivery to an IRS-approved depository. Metal cannot come to your home or office without triggering a taxable distribution.
Austin-Round Rock metro residency does not limit which custodian or depository you use. Every U.S. resident draws from the same national pool of IRS-approved SDIRAs and depositories. What Texas residency does affect is the state-level tax treatment of any distributions you take from the account.
The informal term “gold IRA” describes an account that can hold gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. Each metal has its own IRS fineness standard under IRC Section 408(m). A more precise description is a “precious-metals self-directed IRA.”
Texas has no state income tax: the Austin-Round Rock advantage
Texas has no state personal income tax. Article 8, Section 24 of the Texas Constitution bars a state income tax unless a two-thirds legislative supermajority approves it and Texas voters ratify it in a statewide referendum. That structural barrier, strengthened by Proposition 4 in 2019, makes the exemption significantly more durable than a simple statutory exemption.
For an Austin-Round Rock metro resident, every taxable gold IRA event reports on federal Form 1099-R and is taxed on federal Form 1040 only. No Texas state return applies to personal IRA income. No Texas withholding is requested at distribution. Required minimum distributions, early withdrawals, and Roth conversions all run through the federal system exclusively.
The practical difference compounds over a long retirement. A California retiree taking the same annual IRA distributions may owe up to 13.3 percent in state income tax on top of federal rates. An Austin-Round Rock retiree taking those same distributions owes $0 to Texas. Over 20 or 30 years of retirement, that difference can preserve meaningful after-tax value for the next generation.
Required minimum distributions begin at age 73 for those born between 1951 and 1959, and at age 75 for those born in 1960 or later, starting in 2033. Both rules come from the SECURE 2.0 Act. Texas adds nothing to those federally-calculated distributions.
The Texas Bullion Depository is inside the Austin-Round Rock metro
The Texas Bullion Depository is the only state-administered and state-audited precious-metals depository in the United States. It sits in Leander, Texas, Williamson County, which is one of the five counties that make up the Austin-Round Rock metro. No other major Texas metro has a state-run IRA-approved depository within its own boundaries.
The depository was established by HB 483, 84th Texas Legislature, signed by Governor Greg Abbott on June 12, 2015. It is operated by Lone Star Tangible Assets LP (LSTA) under contract with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. The current Acting Comptroller is Kelly Hancock.
The facility is purpose-built: 40,000 or more square feet on approximately 10 acres, with a Class 3 vault (the highest vault security rating), biometric access controls, 24/7 surveillance, and on-site security personnel including commissioned police officers.
LSTA received IRS approval as a nonbank trustee in 2023. That approval allows IRA-titled precious metals to be held at the facility. Equity Trust Company is currently the first custodian publicly coordinating IRA accounts with the depository. The depository’s own IRA storage page (texasbulliondepository.gov, checked July 2026) confirms that Austin-Round Rock residents wanting to store IRA metal there should work with their gold dealer and Equity Trust Company to coordinate delivery.
Storage at the depository is segregated only. Your metal is held separately from every other depositor’s metal. It is insured through Lloyd’s of London, with coverage for theft, fire, flood, and natural disasters. The depository operates under regular audits by a representative from the Texas Comptroller’s office.
Fees for IRA storage at the depository are negotiated among the custodian, the dealer, and the depository contractor. Standard public rates listed on the depository site may not apply to IRA accounts. Verify current rates with your dealer before committing to any arrangement.
Rollover and pension paths across the five-county metro
The Austin-Round Rock metro has an unusually deep base of employer-sponsored retirement accounts, combining state-government employment concentrated in Travis County, the technology sector anchored in both Travis and Williamson counties, and public school teachers across all five counties under TRS. Each source has distinct rollover rules.
| Plan | Who it covers in this metro | What may be rollover-eligible | Verify before acting |
|---|---|---|---|
| 401(k) from private employer | Employees of Dell Technologies (Round Rock HQ), Samsung Austin Semiconductor, Apple, Tesla, Oracle, IBM, and other metro area employers | Full balance eligible for direct rollover after separation from employer. In-service rollovers may be allowed at age 59 and a half under certain plans. | Review your plan’s Summary Plan Description for rollover eligibility and in-service rules |
| TRS (Teacher Retirement System of Texas) | Teachers and staff at Round Rock ISD, Pflugerville ISD, Austin ISD, Georgetown ISD, Hays CISD, Del Valle ISD, and all other metro-area school districts; UT Austin faculty and staff not in ORP; Austin Community College staff under TRS coverage | Lump-sum refund of member contributions after separation from TRS-covered employment. The monthly pension annuity earned from service cannot be rolled into an IRA while you are accruing benefits. | Contact TRS at trs.texas.gov for your member-specific refund and rollover options |
| ERS (Employees Retirement System of Texas) | State agency employees concentrated in Austin and Travis County as the state capital | Lump-sum refund of member contributions after separation from state service. The ongoing monthly annuity is not rollover-eligible while you are active. | Contact ERS at ers.texas.gov for current distribution and rollover procedures |
| COAERS (City of Austin Employees’ Retirement System) | Regular employees of the City of Austin (Travis County) | Lump-sum refund of member contributions upon separation from city service. The ongoing monthly benefit cannot be rolled while active. | Contact COAERS at coaers.org for member-specific lump-sum and rollover rules |
| TCDRS (Texas County and District Retirement System) | Williamson County employees (Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander areas) and Hays County employees (Kyle, Buda area) | TCDRS is a defined-benefit plan for participating counties. Rules on lump-sum options and rollover eligibility vary by county participation agreement. Verify with your county plan. | Contact TCDRS at tcdrs.org or your county HR department for current distribution options |
| UT Austin Optional Retirement Program (ORP) | Eligible faculty and professional staff at UT Austin who elected ORP instead of TRS | ORP is a defined-contribution plan. Account balance may be eligible for IRA rollover upon separation from UT System employment. ORP portability rules vary by carrier. | Contact UT Austin Human Resources or your ORP carrier for rollover procedures |
| TSP (Thrift Savings Plan) | Federal civilian employees and military stationed in Austin (IRS regional offices, federal courts, military facilities) | Full balance eligible for direct rollover to an SDIRA upon separation from federal service or after meeting in-service withdrawal requirements | Review TSP withdrawal and transfer instructions at tsp.gov |
| 403(b) from school or college | Teachers and staff at private schools, St. Edward’s University, and others with 403(b) plans across the metro | Balance eligible for IRA rollover after separation from employer or upon meeting plan distribution triggers. Verify plan-specific rules. | Review your plan’s Summary Plan Description for rollover eligibility |
Source: Texas fact-base; plan categories per Texas public pension landscape, checked July 2026. Lump-sum amounts and rollover procedures vary by plan and by individual member circumstances. Confirm directly with your plan administrator before initiating any rollover.
The key distinction for defined-benefit pensions (TRS, ERS, COAERS, TCDRS): the monthly annuity you will receive in retirement generally cannot be transferred to an IRA. Only a lump-sum refund of your own member contributions after leaving covered employment may qualify. A Dell or Samsung employee with a 401(k) from a former employer faces no such restriction: the full balance can roll over directly.
Which precious metals qualify for an IRA
IRC Section 408(m) defines which precious metals may be held inside an IRA. Collectibles are broadly prohibited inside any IRA. Congress carved out a specific exception for bullion and certain coins that meet minimum fineness standards. The practical result: gold, silver, platinum, and palladium can all sit inside the same SDIRA under one account number.
| Metal | Minimum fineness | IRA-eligible examples | Common exclusions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | .995 (99.5%) | American Gold Buffalo (.9999), Canadian Gold Maple Leaf (.9999), Australian Gold Kangaroo (.9999), gold bars from NYMEX/COMEX-approved or LBMA-accredited refiners | Most numismatic or graded coins bought for collectible value; South African Krugerrand (.9167, no statutory exception) |
| Gold (statutory exception) | .9167 (22-karat) | American Gold Eagle (bullion and proof editions), named explicitly in IRC 408(m)(3)(A) regardless of its 22-karat composition | No other 22-karat gold coin carries this statutory carve-out |
| Silver | .999 (99.9%) | American Silver Eagle (statutory exception), Canadian Silver Maple Leaf, silver bars from approved refiners | Pre-1965 circulated U.S. silver coins; any silver coin without a fineness guarantee |
| Platinum | .9995 (99.95%) | American Platinum Eagle, Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf, platinum bars from approved refiners | Platinum coins or bars below .9995 fineness |
| Palladium | .9995 (99.95%) | American Palladium Eagle, Canadian Palladium Maple Leaf, palladium bars from approved refiners | Palladium coins or bars below .9995 fineness |
Source: IRC Section 408(m)(3). Bars must be produced by a NYMEX/COMEX-approved, LBMA-approved, or national-mint-accredited refiner/assayer. Proof coins are IRA-eligible when held in original mint packaging with a certificate of authenticity. Checked July 2026.
The American Gold Eagle is 22-karat (.9167 fine), which falls below the .995 floor that applies to most gold. Congress named it specifically in the statute as IRA-eligible. No other 22-karat gold coin shares that exemption. The South African Krugerrand is also 22-karat but was not named in IRC 408(m), so it is a prohibited collectible inside an IRA.
Bars must come from a refiner accredited by NYMEX, COMEX, or the LBMA, or from a national mint. Ask your dealer for written documentation of the refiner’s accreditation before funds move. Your custodian may also maintain an approved-product list; request it before making any purchase decision.
How to open a gold IRA from the Austin-Round Rock metro
The process is the same for all U.S. residents. Austin-Round Rock metro context appears at the relevant steps.
- Identify your funding source. Common paths for metro residents include a 401(k) from a former employer at Dell, Samsung, Apple, Tesla, Oracle, or another private-sector company; a traditional IRA at a brokerage; a TSP from federal civilian or military service; a 403(b) from a school or college; or a lump-sum member-contribution refund from TRS, ERS, COAERS, or TCDRS after separating from covered employment. Most active employer plans and active public pension memberships restrict rollovers until separation. Verify your specific plan rules before starting.
- Select an IRS-approved self-directed IRA custodian. Custodians that specialize in precious-metals SDIRAs include Equity Trust Company, STRATA Trust Company, GoldStar Trust Company, Madison Trust, and New Direction Trust Company. Compare annual fees, setup costs, and which depositories each custodian works with. Equity Trust is currently the only custodian publicly coordinating IRA accounts with the Texas Bullion Depository in Leander.
- Open the SDIRA and initiate the rollover or transfer. Complete the custodian’s application. For a 401(k) rollover, request a direct rollover: the plan administrator sends funds trustee-to-trustee to your SDIRA custodian. Form 1099-R shows Code G. Federal tax owed: $0. Texas state tax owed: $0. No 10 percent early-withdrawal penalty on a properly executed direct rollover.
- Select IRS-approved precious metals through a dealer. Your custodian executes the purchase based on your written instructions. Choose a dealer and a product meeting the fineness standards in the table above. Request written confirmation of the product name, weight, fineness, and price before any funds move. Ask for the refiner’s NYMEX, COMEX, or LBMA accreditation documentation.
- Arrange delivery to an IRS-approved depository. The dealer ships metal directly to the depository under your SDIRA account title. For Austin-Round Rock metro residents, options include the Texas Bullion Depository in Leander (in Williamson County, inside the metro), the Delaware Depository in Wilmington, Brinks Global Services, CNT Depository, and International Depository Services (IDS). Metal coming to your home triggers a taxable distribution, as confirmed in McNulty v. Commissioner, 157 T.C. No. 10 (2021).
Check your rollover eligibility
The most common way to fund a gold IRA is a direct rollover or trustee-to-trustee transfer from an existing qualified retirement account. The calculator below helps Austin-Round Rock metro residents identify which account types qualify and estimate a clean rollover scenario. Because Texas has no state income tax, your federal estimate is your complete tax picture for a properly executed direct rollover.
Can you roll your account into a gold IRA? Eligibility checker
Most retirement money can move into a gold IRA once it is an eligible rollover distribution. Pick your account and situation for a general answer. Always confirm the specifics with your plan administrator or custodian.
General guidance only, not tax or financial advice. Eligibility depends on your specific plan document and IRS rules; confirm with your plan administrator and a tax advisor. A direct trustee-to-trustee transfer avoids the 60-day rule and 20% withholding.
Picking a company that explains every fee up front is the first step. Get the free gold IRA company checklist.
What a gold IRA costs: fees to plan for
Gold IRA costs arrive in separate layers, each billed by a different party. The custodian charges for account administration. The depository charges for vault storage. The dealer adds a markup on the metal at purchase. None of these appear on one consolidated annual statement the way a mutual fund expense ratio does.
| Fee type | Who charges it | What it covers | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account setup fee | Custodian | Opening the SDIRA and processing the initial rollover or transfer | $0 to $300, one-time |
| Annual custodian fee | Custodian | Account administration, record-keeping, IRS reporting (Forms 5498 and 1099-R), and transaction processing | $75 to $300 per year |
| Annual storage fee | Depository | Secure vault storage, insurance, and periodic audits. Segregated storage costs more than commingled. | $100 to $300 per year, or 0.1% to 0.3% of account value annually |
| Dealer markup | Precious metals dealer | The spread between spot price and what you pay for the metal. Varies by product and dealer. | 1% to 5% over spot for common bullion; higher for proof or premium products |
| Transaction fee | Custodian or dealer | Per-buy or per-sell charge inside the account | $0 to $40 per transaction |
| Wire transfer fee | Custodian | Moving funds in or out by bank wire | $0 to $40 per wire |
Fee ranges compiled from published custodian fee schedules for Equity Trust, STRATA Trust, GoldStar Trust, and Madison Trust, checked July 2026. Actual fees depend on your specific custodian and depository selection. Always request the full fee schedule in writing before opening an account.
The chart below shows fee drag at four balance levels typical of tech-sector 401(k) rollovers in the Austin-Round Rock metro. The calculation uses $400 per year in combined fixed fees: a midpoint of published custodian and storage ranges in the Austin-area market.
Chart data: $50,000 account = 0.80% drag; $100,000 = 0.40%; $250,000 = 0.16%; $500,000 = 0.08%. Based on $400/year combined fixed fees (midpoint of custodian plus storage ranges, reviewed July 2026).
On a $100,000 account, $400 in annual fixed fees is a 0.4 percent drag before dealer markups. On a $50,000 account, the same $400 becomes a 0.8 percent drag. Dell, Samsung, or Apple employees rolling over six-figure 401(k) balances absorb that fixed cost more efficiently than those starting with smaller amounts. Texas residents avoid the state-income-tax layer at distribution, which provides additional value across a long retirement.
Texas gold IRA fee-drag calculator
Texas gold IRAs charge mostly flat dollar fees (setup, annual custodian, storage). Flat fees take a much bigger bite out of a small account than a large one. Enter your numbers to see the drag.
Estimate only. Fee amounts vary by provider and are often not published; enter figures you confirm in writing. This tool ignores metal price changes and the dealer spread, which also affect returns. Not financial advice.
Picking a company that explains every fee up front is the first step. Get the free gold IRA company checklist.
Where your IRA metal is stored
IRS rules require precious metals held in a self-directed IRA to be in the physical possession of a bank or an IRS-approved nonbank trustee. The Tax Court held this rule strictly in McNulty v. Commissioner, 157 T.C. No. 10 (2021): a taxpayer who stored IRA gold coins at home was treated as having distributed the full account value in the year the coins were delivered, triggering income tax plus the 10 percent early-withdrawal penalty on the entire balance.
Austin-Round Rock metro residents have access to multiple IRS-approved depositories. The Texas Bullion Depository in Leander stands apart because it is inside the metro itself. For residents of Williamson County, the depository is a local institution. For those in Travis County, Leander is approximately 28 miles north via US-183A. The depository stores gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and rhodium under one facility.
| Depository | Location | Key features | Notes for Austin-Round Rock residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Bullion Depository (Lone Star Tangible Assets LP) | Leander, TX (Williamson County, inside the metro) | State-administered, Texas Comptroller oversight, segregated only, Lloyd’s of London insured, Class 3 vault, IRS nonbank trustee approval 2023 | The only major IRA-approved depository physically inside the Austin-Round Rock metro. Equity Trust Company is the first custodian coordinating IRA accounts here. IRA storage fees negotiated among custodian, dealer, and depository. |
| Delaware Depository | Wilmington, DE | COMEX-approved, segregated and commingled options, insured, multiple custodian relationships | Most national custodians work with Delaware Depository; good default if your custodian does not yet coordinate with TBD |
| Brinks Global Services | Multiple U.S. locations | Major global vault operator, insured, accepted by most custodians | Contact your custodian for the specific Brinks location they coordinate with |
| CNT Depository | Bridgewater, MA | Segregated storage, insured, established IRA depository relationship | Accepted by several major SDIRA custodians; verify with your custodian |
| International Depository Services (IDS) | Primary: Delaware; also a Texas location | Segregated and commingled, multiple locations, IRS-approved | The Texas location adds an in-state option if your custodian works with IDS rather than TBD |
Source: depository websites and custodian public fee disclosures, checked July 2026. Custodian-depository relationships vary. Confirm that your chosen custodian works with your preferred depository before opening an account.
Home storage is not an option. A safe-deposit box at a bank does not qualify either. The IRS requires the metal to be in the possession of the qualified custodian or an approved depository, not the account owner. Setting up a closely held LLC to "self-store" IRA gold has been rejected by courts, including in McNulty v. Commissioner. Any such arrangement is treated as a distribution of the full account value.
Worked example: a Round Rock tech worker’s rollover
Texas gold IRA early-withdrawal penalty estimator
Take money out of a gold IRA before age 59 and a half and the IRS adds a 10% federal additional tax. Many states add their own additional tax on top, so check your state. The federal penalty is estimated below.
Estimate only, not tax advice. The 10% federal additional tax applies to early distributions before age 59 and a half; exceptions exist. Your state may add its own additional tax, and ordinary income tax applies separately. Source: IRS Publication 590-B. Consult your tax advisor.
Picking a company that explains every fee up front is the first step. Get the free gold IRA company checklist.
When a gold IRA is not the right move for Austin-Round Rock residents
Read this section before deciding.
A gold IRA may not be the right structure if any of these conditions apply to your situation.
Your eligible balance is under $50,000. Annual fixed fees of $300 to $600 (custodian plus storage) represent 0.6 to 1.2 percent or more on a $50,000 account every year before any dealer markup. That fee drag is hard to overcome on a small balance over a long holding period.
You need liquidity within five years. Selling metal inside an IRA requires coordinating with the custodian and dealer, which takes longer than selling a stock. If you anticipate needing these funds soon, a more liquid account structure may serve you better.
Your 401(k) is with your current employer. Most 401(k) plans restrict in-service rollovers until age 59 and a half or later. If you are still employed at Dell, Samsung, or another Round Rock or Austin employer, your plan may not allow a rollover until you separate from service. Verify with your plan administrator.
Your TRS or ERS account is an active membership. TRS and ERS are defined-benefit pensions. You cannot roll your expected future monthly benefit into an IRA. Only a lump-sum refund of your own contributions after separation may qualify. If you are still working and accruing a pension, those future benefits are not available for rollover.
You are looking for short-term gains. Precious metals are a long-term portfolio component, not a trading vehicle inside an IRA. The fee structure does not suit short holding periods.
Texas gold IRA required minimum distribution (RMD) estimator
Once required minimum distributions begin (age 73 now, 75 starting 2033), you divide last year-end balance by an IRS life-expectancy factor. Texas charges no state income tax, so the result is taxed only at the federal level. You can take a gold IRA RMD in cash or in metal.
Estimate only, not tax advice. Uses the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (most owners). A spouse more than 10 years younger and sole beneficiary uses a different table. Roth IRAs have no lifetime RMD. Sources: IRS Publication 590-B (Table III); IRS RMD FAQs. Consult your tax advisor.
Picking a company that explains every fee up front is the first step. Get the free gold IRA company checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Does my county in the Austin-Round Rock metro affect which gold IRA custodian I can use?
No. All U.S. residents draw from the same national pool of IRS-approved self-directed IRA custodians. Whether you live in Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, or Caldwell County, your county does not restrict which custodian or depository you use. What matters is that the custodian holds IRS approval as a qualified nonbank trustee for precious-metals accounts.
What makes the Texas Bullion Depository different from private depositories?
The Texas Bullion Depository in Leander is the only state-administered and state-audited precious-metals depository in the United States. It operates under regular audits by the Texas Comptroller’s office, provides segregated-only storage (your metal is never commingled), and is insured through Lloyd’s of London. Its operator, Lone Star Tangible Assets LP, received IRS nonbank trustee approval in 2023, allowing IRA-titled metals to be stored there.
Can a Round Rock ISD teacher roll a TRS account into a gold IRA?
TRS is a defined-benefit pension. The monthly annuity you earn from teaching service cannot be rolled into an IRA. What may qualify is a lump-sum refund of your own member contributions after you separate from TRS-covered employment. Contact TRS at trs.texas.gov for your individual member-specific options before initiating any rollover. Your monthly benefit earned to date is not a rollover-eligible asset.
What are the gold IRA contribution limits for 2026?
The standard IRA contribution limit for 2026 is $7,500. Account owners age 50 or older may contribute an additional $1,100 catch-up, for a total of $8,600. These limits apply across all of your IRAs combined, not per account. The limits are set annually by the IRS and apply equally to all U.S. residents regardless of state. Source: IRS Retirement Topics, checked July 2026.
What happens if I take an early withdrawal from a gold IRA before age 59 and a half?
A withdrawal before age 59 and a half triggers a 10 percent federal early-withdrawal penalty plus ordinary federal income tax on the distribution amount. Texas imposes no state income tax, so there is no Texas-level penalty on top. Common exceptions to the 10 percent penalty include unreimbursed medical expenses above the applicable threshold, total disability, and substantially equal periodic payments under IRC Section 72(t). The early-withdrawal calculator above can estimate the federal cost.
Is the American Gold Eagle IRA-eligible even though it is 22-karat?
Yes. Congress named the American Gold Eagle explicitly in IRC Section 408(m)(3)(A) as an IRA-eligible coin regardless of its 22-karat (.9167 fine) composition. This is a narrow statutory exception that applies only to the American Gold Eagle. The South African Krugerrand is also 22-karat but was not named in the statute and is therefore a prohibited collectible inside an IRA.
Does Texas sales tax apply to precious metals purchased inside an IRA?
Most precious metals purchases in Texas are sales tax-exempt under state law. The Texas Bullion Depository’s IRA storage page confirms that storing metal at the depository ensures no other state can claim tax nexus on the stored assets. IRA purchases run through the SDIRA custodian, and the dealer and custodian typically handle any applicable sales-tax treatment. Confirm the tax status of any specific purchase with your dealer before funds move.
How do I evaluate whether a gold IRA dealer is quoting a fair markup?
Compare the dealer’s price against the current spot price for the metal, available on commodity data platforms. A 1 to 5 percent premium over spot is typical for common bullion coins and bars. Dealers pushing numismatic or proof coins at markups well above that range are reducing your IRA’s metal content relative to the dollars invested. Always request a written price confirmation showing the spot price, the premium, and the final per-unit price before any funds move.
Sources
- IRS, Publication 590-B: Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), including rules on self-directed IRAs, early withdrawal penalties, and IRC Section 408(m) fineness standards. Checked July 2026.
- IRS, Retirement Topics: IRA Contribution Limits, 2026. Standard limit $7,500; catch-up (age 50+) $1,100 additional. Checked July 2026.
- Texas Bullion Depository, IRA Storage Services page. Confirms LSTA IRS nonbank trustee approval 2023, Equity Trust as first IRA custodian, segregated-only storage, Lloyd’s of London insurance, Texas Comptroller oversight. Checked July 2026.
- Texas Legislature Online, HB 483, 84th Texas Legislature (2015). Established the Texas Bullion Depository. Signed by Governor Greg Abbott on June 12, 2015.
- U.S. Tax Court, McNulty v. Commissioner, 157 T.C. No. 10 (2021). Held that storing IRA gold at home constitutes a taxable distribution of the full account value. Checked July 2026.
- Texas Constitution, Article 8, Section 24. Prohibits a state income tax absent a two-thirds legislative supermajority and statewide voter referendum. Strengthened by Proposition 4 (2019).
- IRC Section 408(m)(3). Statutory fineness standards and exceptions for precious metals inside an IRA, including the American Gold Eagle carve-out.
- Internal Revenue Service, Retirement Topics: Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). SECURE 2.0 Act ages 73 and 75 for RMD start. Checked July 2026.
- Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), trs.texas.gov. Member refund and rollover eligibility guidance. Checked July 2026.
- Texas County and District Retirement System (TCDRS), tcdrs.org. Covers Williamson County and Hays County employees among others. Checked July 2026.
Next step for Austin-Round Rock metro residents
If you have $50,000 or more eligible to roll over and want to explore a gold IRA, Augusta Precious Metals provides a free, no-pressure checklist that walks through every step. Get the free Augusta checklist (opens Augusta’s site; we may earn a commission).