IRA Financial Blog

Insights, strategies, and expert answers on self-directed retirement, taxes, and alternative investing.

The Rise of Progressive Politics and the Roth IRA: Why Locking In Tax-Free Wealth Matters More Than Ever

The Rise of Progressive Politics and the Roth IRA: Why Locking In Tax-Free Wealth Matters More Than Ever

If there is one lesson I have learned during more than two decades practicing tax law, it is this: tax laws never stand still. Congress changes.…

Crypto IRA Tax Reporting: What Forms You Need and What Most Providers Get Wrong

Crypto IRA Tax Reporting: What Forms You Need and What Most Providers Get Wrong

Crypto IRA tax reporting sits at the intersection of two areas where errors are common: cryptocurrency taxation and Self-Directed IRA compliance.…

Self-Directed IRA Fee Structures: How Flat Fee and Asset-Based Models Compare Over Time

Self-Directed IRA Fee Structures: How Flat Fee and Asset-Based Models Compare Over Time

Most Self-Directed IRA investors compare custodians by looking at the annual fee headline number. That comparison is almost always misleading. A…

AI, the S&P 500, and the Self-Directed IRA: Why Diversification Matters More Than Ever

AI, the S&P 500, and the Self-Directed IRA: Why Diversification Matters More Than Ever

If you are a Self-Directed IRA investor or anyone building long-term retirement wealth, the rise of artificial intelligence raises a question most…

IRA Financial vs. Guidant Financial: Best ROBS Provider

IRA Financial vs. Guidant Financial

If you're looking to fund a business using your retirement savings, you've probably come across two well-known names in the ROBS space: IRA Financial…

Checkbook IRA in a High-Interest Rate Environment: When It Makes More Sense Than Ever

Checkbook IRAs Can Be a Smart Choice in a High-Interest Rate Environment

When interest rates rise, the conventional wisdom is to move money into bonds, CDs, and money market funds. What that advice ignores is that a…

How to Use a SEP IRA and Solo 401(k) Simultaneously: The Rules and the Math

How to Use a SEP IRA and Solo 401(k) Simultaneously: The Rules and the Math

Most self-employed investors know they can open a SEP IRA or a Solo 401(k). Far fewer know they can hold both simultaneously, and that in specific…

How Gold IRA Pricing Actually Works: Spot Price, Premiums, and Custodian Markups Explained

How Gold IRA Pricing Works: Spot Price, Premiums, and Custodian Markups Explained

Most Gold IRA investors focus on whether gold prices will go up. Far fewer understand what they actually paid when they bought, and how much of their…

The Death of the Bogle Model: Why Today's Investors Need a Self-Directed IRA

The Death of the Bogle Model: Why Today’s Retirement Investors Need More Than Index Funds

For a generation of Americans, the Boglehead playbook was gospel. Put 60% of your retirement savings into a broad S&P 500 index fund, put 40%…

How to Switch Solo 401(k) Providers Without Triggering Taxes

How to Switch Solo 401(k) Providers Without Triggering Taxes

You can switch Solo 401(k) providers without taxes or penalties in 2026, but only if the transfer is structured as a trustee-to-trustee plan transfer…

5 Best ROBS 401(k) Providers of 2026

5 Best ROBS 401(k) Providers of 2026

If you're thinking about using your retirement savings to fund a business, a Rollover as Business Startups (ROBS) structure could be the right move.…

Top Retirement Accounts for Entrepreneurs

Top Retirement Accounts for Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs have more control over their income than most people. That same flexibility extends to their retirement strategy, but it also creates…

IRA Financial (IRAF) is not a law firm and does not provide legal, financial, or investment advice. No attorney-client relationship exists between the Client and IRAF, its staff, or in-house counsel. IRAF offers retirement account facilitation and document services only. Clients should consult qualified legal, tax, or financial professionals before making investment decisions. IRAF does not render legal, accounting, or professional services. If such services are needed, seek a qualified professional. Custodian-related service costs are not included in IRAF’s professional services.