Where can I check the official gold IRA rules?

The IRS sets contribution limits, RMDs, and (under IRC 408(m)) which metals qualify; the CFTC and FINRA publish precious-metals fraud advisories; and you can verify companies on the BBB, BCA, Trustpilot, and TrustLink.

Where do I report a gold IRA scam?

You can file with the CFTC at cftc.gov/complaint, the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, the SEC at sec.gov/tcr, your state attorney general, your state securities regulator via NASAA, and the BBB.

Gold IRA Rules, Regulators & Resources (2026)

Use official sources. These are the government agencies, regulators, and standards bodies that actually set and enforce the rules for gold IRAs — plus where to verify a company and report a problem.

IRS rules, limits & distributions

IRS: IRA contribution limits — the current annual limits (for 2026, $7,500, or $8,600 if you are 50+).
IRS Publication 590-A — contributions to traditional and Roth IRAs, in detail.
IRS Publication 590-B — distributions, RMDs, and early-withdrawal penalties.
IRS: Required Minimum Distribution FAQs — when and how RMDs apply (starting age 73).
IRS: IRA FAQs — general answers on contributions, rollovers, and distributions.
IRS: 2026 limit announcement — the official 2026 cost-of-living adjustments.

Allowed metals & coins

26 U.S. Code §408(m) — the statute defining which metals and coins an IRA may hold (fineness rules and the collectibles exception).
U.S. Mint — official specifications for American Eagle and other U.S. bullion coins.

Fraud advisories & where to complain

CFTC: Precious Metal Frauds — the federal regulator’s hub on metals scams and how they work.
CFTC & FINRA: 10 Things to Ask Before Buying Metals — a joint investor bulletin written specifically for gold and silver IRAs.
CFTC: schemes designed to drain retirement savings — advisory on gold and silver retirement scams.
CFTC: file a complaint — report suspected commodity or metals fraud.
FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov — report scams to the Federal Trade Commission.
FTC: consumer advice — general guidance on spotting and avoiding fraud.
SEC: tips, complaints & referrals — report securities-related problems.
SEC Investor.gov — unbiased, plain-English investor education.
FINRA: for investors — alerts and tools from the brokerage-industry regulator.
NASAA — find and contact your state securities regulator.

Verify a company’s reputation

Better Business Bureau (BBB) — accreditation, letter rating, and complaint history.
Business Consumer Alliance (BCA) — independent business-conduct ratings.
Trustpilot — high-volume verified customer reviews.
TrustLink — a precious-metals-focused review platform.

State sales tax on bullion

USA.gov: state taxes — find your state’s Department of Revenue for current bullion sales-tax rules.
Gold Advisor Bullion Sales-Tax Tracker — our 2026 state-by-state summary, with links to verify.

Keep exploring on Gold Advisor

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