How to Get a Free Gold IRA Kit: What They Include, How to Evaluate Them, and What the IRS Requires in 2026

This guide serves investors who have requested or are considering requesting a free gold IRA kit and want an independent, unsponsored breakdown of what those kits contain, what they omit, and how to use them as a genuine decision-making tool rather than a sales funnel entry point. All IRS data referenced here reflects 2026 figures published by the Internal Revenue Service: the $7,000 standard contribution limit, the $8,000 catch-up limit for investors aged 50 and older, and the required minimum distribution trigger age of 73 under the SECURE 2.0 Act. These figures are confirmed on the IRS IRA overview page and apply to traditional gold IRAs funded through direct contributions in 2026.

Gold IRA rollover kits have become one of the most requested resources in retirement planning. As inflation pressures purchasing power, national debt climbs past historic levels, and paper assets remain volatile, investors across age groups are requesting free gold IRA kits to determine whether a precious metals IRA belongs in their retirement strategy. This guide explains exactly what those kits contain, how to evaluate them critically, which providers offer the most transparent information, and what the IRS actually requires before a single dollar moves into a self-directed gold IRA.

Whether you are rolling over a 401(k), funding a traditional IRA, or exploring a Roth IRA structure with physical gold, this resource covers the complete picture — fees, storage, eligible products, 2026 contribution limits, required minimum distributions, and the questions most investors forget to ask. For a broader overview of how these accounts work, visit gold ira accounts or review independent rankings at best gold ira companies to compare provider reputations before requesting a kit.

What a Free Gold IRA Kit Is and Why Investors Request One

A free gold IRA kit is a collection of educational materials — typically a printed booklet, a digital PDF guide, a video series, or some combination of all three — provided at no charge by a precious metals IRA company to prospective investors. Requesting one does not open an account, commit you to a purchase, authorize a rollover, or trigger any IRS reporting event. It is an educational first step, and in most cases it is the only genuinely cost-free resource a gold IRA company will provide before a sales conversation begins.

The reason these kits matter goes beyond their marketing function. A self-directed IRA that holds physical gold operates under a specific IRS framework that differs significantly from a conventional brokerage IRA. Most investors approaching this space for the first time have never dealt with a self-directed custodian, arranged insured precious metals storage at an IRS-approved depository, or selected coins and bars based on IRS fineness thresholds. A well-constructed gold IRA rollover kit closes that knowledge gap before money moves — not after a sales call has already shaped expectations.

Requests for these kits have grown substantially since 2020, tracking closely with rising inflation data, declining confidence in paper-denominated assets, and increased mainstream coverage of gold as a portfolio stabilizer. Investors between the ages of 45 and 65 represent the largest segment of requesters, primarily because this cohort holds substantial rollover-eligible assets in employer-sponsored plans and faces the most immediate pressure from sequence-of-returns risk. Understanding what a kit contains — and what it deliberately excludes — allows you to evaluate providers before any advisor contact occurs.

It is equally important to understand what requesting a free gold IRA kit does not do. It does not constitute a taxable event. It does not initiate a distribution from any existing retirement account. It does not create a fiduciary relationship between you and the issuing company. These clarifications matter because some investors delay requesting a kit out of concern that doing so will trigger unwanted phone calls, lock them into a provider, or generate IRS reporting obligations. None of those outcomes follow from a kit request alone.

What a High-Quality Free Gold IRA Kit Actually Contains

The quality gap between gold IRA rollover kits issued by different providers is substantial. A kit from a reputable, transparent provider will contain materially different information than one issued primarily as a lead-capture device. Knowing the specific content markers of a high-quality kit allows you to sort providers before speaking with any representative.

A high-quality free gold IRA kit contains, at minimum, six distinct content categories. First, it explains the IRS custodian requirement under IRC Section 408(a), which mandates that all IRA assets — including physical gold — be held by a qualified trustee or custodian. The kit should name this requirement explicitly and explain that the gold IRA company itself is not your custodian unless it holds a trust charter. Second, it lists IRS-approved precious metals by fineness threshold: gold at .995 or higher, silver at .999 or higher, platinum at .9995 or higher, and palladium at .9995 or higher, per IRS Publication 590-B and the American Eagle exception under IRC Section 408(m)(3).

Third, a complete kit discloses the full fee structure, not just the setup fee. This means annual custodian fees, storage fees (segregated versus commingled), wire transfer fees, and liquidation fees are all itemized. Fourth, the kit explains IRS-approved depository options and confirms that home storage of IRA-owned gold is not permitted under current IRS rules — a point that some lower-quality kits omit or obscure. Fifth, rollover mechanics are explained in detail, including the 60-day rollover rule, the once-per-year rollover limitation for IRA-to-IRA transfers under IRS Notice 2014-54, and the distinction between a direct rollover and an indirect rollover. Sixth, distribution rules are addressed, including the RMD trigger at age 73, the process for taking in-kind distributions of physical metal, and the ordinary income tax treatment applied to traditional IRA distributions.

Kits that omit fee disclosures, skip the custodian requirement, or present home storage as a legally available option are operating as marketing materials rather than educational resources. Those omissions tell you something specific about how that provider intends to manage the rest of the relationship.

IRS Rules That Every Free Gold IRA Kit Should Explain in 2026

The IRS framework governing physical gold IRAs is more specific than most investors realize when they first request a free gold IRA kit. Understanding these rules before any account is opened prevents compliance failures that can trigger immediate taxation, early withdrawal penalties, and disqualification of the entire IRA balance. The rules below reflect current IRS guidance as of 2026.

The custodian requirement is the foundational rule. Under IRC Section 408(a), an IRA must be established as a trust or custodial account maintained by a bank, a federally insured credit union, a savings and loan association, or an entity approved by the IRS to act as a nonbank trustee. The gold IRA company that sells you metals is, in virtually all cases, a separate entity from your custodian. You will have two distinct relationships: one with the dealer who sells the metals and one with the custodian who holds title to those metals inside your IRA. Conflating these two roles is the most common source of investor confusion in this space.

The fineness requirement under IRC Section 408(m) specifies that a gold IRA may only hold gold bullion of at least .995 fineness. The American Gold Eagle coin is the sole statutory exception to this rule — it is permitted despite a fineness of .9167 because Congress explicitly authorized it in IRC Section 408(m)(3)(A)(ii). This means commonly available gold items — jewelry, numismatic coins graded for collector value, or bars that do not meet the fineness threshold — are prohibited IRA assets. Purchasing a prohibited asset inside an IRA constitutes a prohibited transaction under IRC Section 4975 and can disqualify the account.

The storage requirement is equally non-negotiable. IRA-owned physical gold must be stored at an IRS-approved depository. Home storage — regardless of the security measures an investor installs — does not satisfy this requirement. Several court cases and IRS rulings have confirmed this position, and the IRS has pursued investors who attempted home storage arrangements through LLC structures marketed as “checkbook IRA” solutions. The 2026 RMD trigger age of 73 applies to traditional gold IRAs exactly as it does to conventional IRAs, and investors who fail to take required minimum distributions face a 25% excise tax on the amount not distributed, reduced to 10% if corrected within the two-year correction window under SECURE 2.0.

The 2026 contribution limits apply to investors funding a gold IRA through direct annual contributions rather than rollovers. The standard limit is $7,000 per year across all IRAs combined. Investors aged 50 and older may contribute up to $8,000. These limits apply regardless of how many IRAs an individual maintains — the limit is per taxpayer, not per account. Rollovers from eligible employer plans are not subject to the annual contribution limit, which is why rollover-funded gold IRAs can be significantly larger than contribution-funded accounts.

How to Request a Free Gold IRA Kit Without Triggering a High-Pressure Sales Process

The mechanics of requesting a free gold IRA rollover kit are straightforward, but the follow-up experience varies considerably by provider. Understanding how to structure your request gives you maximum informational return while minimizing unwanted sales pressure before you are ready to make a decision.

Use a dedicated email address when requesting any free gold IRA kit online. This does not protect your privacy from the company itself, but it creates a clean inbox for comparing materials from multiple providers and ensures that gold IRA correspondence does not mix with other financial accounts. Request kits from at least three providers simultaneously so you can evaluate content quality side by side rather than in sequence, which reduces the anchoring effect of whichever provider you contact first.

When a company’s intake form asks for a phone number, providing one is generally required to receive a physical kit. If you prefer to avoid phone contact until you have reviewed written materials, note that preference explicitly in any comment field the form provides. Reputable providers will honor a stated preference for email communication. Providers who call repeatedly after a written preference for email has been expressed are demonstrating a sales culture that is likely to persist throughout the account relationship.

Evaluate the kit within 48 hours of receipt. The specific items to check immediately: Is the custodian named separately from the dealer? Are annual fees disclosed in dollar terms, not just as “competitive” or “low”? Is the IRS fineness requirement explained with specific thresholds? Is home storage addressed directly, and does the kit accurately state that it is not permitted? Are rollover timelines explained with reference to the 60-day rule? A kit that answers all five questions with specific, accurate information is issued by a provider that treats investor education as a compliance function rather than a conversion tool.

After reviewing the kit, prepare a specific list of questions before accepting any phone call. The most revealing questions include: What is the total annual cost in dollars for a $100,000 account, including custodian fees, storage fees, and any insurance charges? Which custodians does the company work with, and are those custodians independently approved by the IRS? What is the buyback spread between the price at which you sell metals and the spot price on the day of the sale? Does the company charge a liquidation fee? Providers who answer these questions with specific numbers rather than generalities have operating models that do not depend on fee opacity.

Fee Structures That a Free Gold IRA Kit Should Disclose Before You Open an Account

Fee disclosure is the single most reliable differentiator between a gold IRA kit designed to educate and one designed to convert. Physical gold IRA accounts carry multiple fee layers that do not exist in conventional brokerage IRAs, and investors who do not understand those layers before opening an account frequently discover that their net returns are lower than projected because of fee drag that was never clearly explained during the sales process.

Account setup fees range from $0 to $300 depending on the provider. Some companies advertise fee waivers for the first year to reduce the perceived cost of opening an account, but the ongoing fee structure after the waiver period is the number that actually determines long-term cost. A $0 first-year waiver followed by $300 per year in combined fees is more expensive over a ten-year horizon than a $100 setup fee with $150 per year in annual fees.

Annual custodian fees are charged by the custodian, not the dealer, and typically range from $75 to $300 per year depending on account size and custodian. Some custodians charge flat fees regardless of account balance; others use a tiered percentage structure. Flat fees favor larger accounts because the fee represents a smaller percentage of total assets as the account grows. Percentage-based fees favor smaller accounts for the same reason. Your kit should specify which fee model the company’s preferred custodian uses.

Storage fees are charged by the depository and typically range from $100 to $300 per year for segregated storage — where your specific metals are held separately and identifiable as yours — or $75 to $150 per year for commingled storage, where your metals are pooled with other investors’ holdings of equivalent type and weight. Segregated storage costs more but provides documented title to specific bars or coins. Commingled storage is less expensive but means you hold a fungible interest in a pool rather than title to specific pieces. Some kits present only one option; a complete kit explains both.

Transaction fees apply when metals are purchased or sold inside the IRA. These may be charged as a flat fee per transaction or as a percentage of the transaction value. Dealer markups — the spread between the spot price and the price at which you purchase metals — are not always labeled as fees but function as one. A markup of 3% on a $50,000 gold purchase represents $1,500 paid above spot on day one, which means the gold must appreciate by at least that amount before the position is profitable. Any gold IRA rollover kit that discusses investment potential without addressing dealer markup is omitting the most immediate cost of the position.

Eligible Gold Products for IRA Investment and the IRS Fineness Standards That Govern Them

Not all gold products qualify for IRA investment. The IRS specifies exact fineness thresholds and product categories, and purchasing a non-qualifying product inside a self-directed IRA constitutes a prohibited transaction that can disqualify the entire account. A free gold IRA kit should list eligible products explicitly rather than leaving product selection to a post-enrollment conversation.

Gold coins and bars eligible for IRA investment must meet a minimum fineness of .995 under IRC Section 408(m)(3)(B). The American Gold Eagle coin is the statutory exception, permitted at .9167 fineness because Congress authorized it specifically in IRC Section 408(m)(3)(A)(ii). Eligible gold coins include the American Gold Eagle (1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz denominations), the American Gold Buffalo (.9999 fine), the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf (.9999 fine), the Austrian Gold Philharmonic (.9999 fine), and the Australian Gold Kangaroo (.9999 fine). Eligible gold bars include products from NYMEX- or COMEX-approved refiners such as the Perth Mint, Credit Suisse, PAMP Suisse, and Valcambi, provided the bars meet the .995 fineness standard and carry proper assay certification.

Products that are not eligible for IRA investment include South African Krugerrands (.9167 fine, without the congressional exception that applies to American Eagles), numismatic coins valued primarily for rarity or collector grade rather than metal content, pre-1933 gold coins, gold jewelry, and any gold product for which IRS-compliant assay documentation cannot be provided. Some providers market collector-grade coins aggressively because their margins on numismatic products are higher than on bullion. A gold IRA kit that promotes numismatic coins as IRA-eligible without addressing the prohibited transaction risk is providing materially incomplete information.

Silver, platinum, and palladium are also eligible for IRA investment under IRC Section 408(m)(3), subject to their respective fineness thresholds. Silver requires .999 fineness; eligible products include American Silver Eagles, Canadian Silver Maple Leafs, and silver bars from approved refiners. Platinum and palladium each require .9995 fineness. Investors who request a free gold IRA kit but are also considering a multi-metal precious metals IRA should verify that the kit addresses all four eligible metals rather than focusing exclusively on gold.

How to Evaluate and Compare Free Gold IRA Kits From Multiple Providers

Receiving multiple free gold IRA kits and comparing them systematically is more useful than reading reviews or relying on a single provider’s self-reported claims. The comparison process takes approximately two hours and produces a clear picture of which providers operate with transparency and which rely on information asymmetry to close accounts.

Create a simple evaluation matrix with five columns: fee disclosure, custodian identification, IRS compliance accuracy, product eligibility clarity, and rollover mechanics. Score each kit on a scale of one to three in each category. A score of one means the topic is absent or addressed only in vague marketing language. A score of two means the topic is addressed but with incomplete or non-specific information. A score of three means the topic is addressed with specific figures, named custodians, IRS citations, or itemized product lists. Total the scores across all five categories; a kit that scores 13 or higher out of 15 is issued by a provider whose standards merit further evaluation.

The fee disclosure category deserves extra weight in your evaluation. Providers who disclose annual fees in dollar terms for a standardized account size — say, $100,000 in gold held for one year — are making a commitment to cost transparency that limits their ability to obscure fees during the sales process. Providers who describe fees as “competitive,” “low,” or “among the best in the industry” without specific dollar figures are preserving optionality for the sales call, which is where undisclosed fees typically surface.

Cross-reference the kit content against IRS Publication 590-A for contribution and rollover rules and IRS Publication 590-B for distribution rules, including RMD requirements. Any kit that contains specific IRS citations is more credible than one that makes compliance claims without source references. Factual errors in a kit — for example, stating that the RMD age is 72 rather than 73 under current SECURE 2.0 rules, or omitting the 60-day rollover deadline — indicate that the kit was not reviewed by someone with current IRS compliance knowledge, which raises questions about the quality of the compliance function throughout the organization.

You can also use the kit request process itself as a provider evaluation tool. Note how quickly each kit arrives, whether physical and digital versions are both available, whether the follow-up contact respects your stated communication preferences, and whether the first representative you speak with can answer specific compliance questions without escalating to a specialist. These operational details predict the service quality you will experience after an account is opened and during the less convenient moments of the relationship — required minimum distributions, liquidation events, and account transfers.

Rollover Mechanics: How a Free Gold IRA Kit Should Explain Moving Existing Retirement Assets

The rollover process is the mechanism through which most gold IRA accounts are funded, and it is also the step where compliance errors most frequently occur. A free gold IRA rollover kit that does not explain rollover mechanics in specific, IRS-accurate terms is leaving investors exposed to taxable events and early withdrawal penalties that are entirely avoidable with correct execution.

There are two types of rollovers applicable to gold IRA funding: direct rollovers and indirect rollovers. In a direct rollover, funds move directly from your existing plan custodian or IRA custodian to the new gold IRA custodian without passing through your hands. No taxes are withheld, no 60-day clock begins, and the transfer does not count against your annual contribution limit. Direct rollovers from employer-sponsored plans such as 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), and TSP accounts into a traditional gold IRA are the most common funding mechanism and carry the lowest compliance risk when executed correctly.

In an indirect rollover, the distribution is paid to you personally. The plan administrator is required to withhold 20% of the distribution for federal income tax, and you have 60 days from the date of receipt to deposit the full pre-tax amount — including the 20% withheld — into the new IRA. If you deposit only the net amount received after withholding, the 20% withheld is treated as a taxable distribution and, if you are under age 59½, is subject to the 10% early withdrawal penalty under IRC Section 72(t). The 60-day deadline is enforced strictly; the IRS grants extensions only in documented cases of disaster, incapacity, or similar hardship under Revenue Procedure 2020-46.

The once-per-year rollover rule under IRS Notice 2014-54 and Bobrow v. Commissioner limits investors to one IRA-to-IRA indirect rollover per 12-month period across all IRAs combined. This rule does not apply to trustee-to-trustee transfers, which are treated as direct transfers rather than rollovers and are not subject to the once-per-year limitation. A gold IRA kit that conflates rollovers and transfers, or that fails to mention the once-per-year limitation, is omitting a rule that has resulted in significant tax liability for investors who were not informed of it before acting.

Roth IRA rollovers into a Roth gold IRA follow the same direct and indirect mechanics but do not carry the withholding requirement on the distribution because qualified Roth distributions are tax-free. However, rolling traditional pre-tax funds into a Roth gold IRA constitutes a Roth conversion, which is a taxable event in the year of the conversion. The full converted amount is added to ordinary income in that tax year, and there is no 60-day reversal option for Roth conversions completed after 2017 — the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminated the recharacterization of Roth conversions. A complete gold IRA rollover kit addresses the Roth conversion tax consequence explicitly rather than presenting the Roth gold IRA as a straightforwardly cost-free option.

What Free Gold IRA Kits Consistently Leave Out and How to Fill Those Gaps

Even the best free gold IRA kits are produced by companies that have a commercial interest in your opening an account with them. That structural reality creates predictable omissions — not necessarily because providers are dishonest, but because the information that would fill these gaps complicates the sales process or introduces competitive comparisons that the issuing company cannot control. Identifying these omissions is as important as evaluating what the kit includes.

The most consistent omission across gold IRA kits is a complete comparison of total annual costs against alternative inflation hedges. A gold IRA carries annual fees — custodian, storage, and insurance — that a direct investment in a gold ETF such as GLD or IAU does not carry in the same form. An investor evaluating a gold IRA against a gold ETF held in a conventional Roth IRA needs to understand the total cost difference per year and over a projected holding period. No gold IRA company’s kit will make this comparison for you, because the comparison may lead a cost-sensitive investor to conclude that the ETF is the more economical option for their specific situation. The tradeoff — legal IRA ownership of physical metal versus fractional ETF exposure — is genuine, but the cost comparison belongs in any honest evaluation.

Liquidity timelines are routinely understated or omitted. Selling physical gold held inside an IRA is not as immediate as selling a stock. The process typically involves contacting your dealer, agreeing on a price, executing a sell order through the custodian, arranging depository transfer or liquidation, and waiting for settlement. In practice, this process takes three to ten business days for most transactions. During periods of high market volatility, when liquidity is most urgently needed, this timeline may extend further. Investors who need to access retirement funds quickly should factor this timeline into their decision before concentrating retirement assets in physical metals.

Dealer markup variability is rarely discussed in kits even though it is the most immediate determinant of day-one return. The markup between spot price and the price at which a dealer sells IRA-eligible gold to an investor can range from 1% to 8% or higher, depending on the product, the dealer, and market conditions. A kit that shows historical gold price appreciation without disclosing the markup required to participate in that appreciation is presenting a selectively favorable picture of the investment’s economics.

The kit’s geographic concentration in a single custodian or depository is another omission worth noting. Most gold IRA companies work with one or two preferred custodians and one or two preferred depositories. While these relationships are legal and common, they limit your ability to shop custodian fees independently after an account is opened with that dealer. Some investors discover post-enrollment that transferring to a lower-cost custodian requires a full account transfer, which involves liquidating the position, transferring cash, and repurchasing metals — a process that generates transaction costs and may create tax reporting obligations. Understanding custodian portability before opening an account is information you will not find in most kits but should request explicitly before committing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Free Gold IRA Kits

What is included in a free gold IRA kit?

A free gold IRA kit typically includes a printed or digital guide explaining how self-directed precious metals IRAs work, an overview of IRS eligibility rules for gold coins and bars, a description of the rollover process from existing retirement accounts, fee disclosures for the issuing company’s preferred custodian and depository, and contact information for a specialist. Higher-quality kits also include specific IRS citations, itemized fee schedules in dollar amounts, a list of eligible products with fineness thresholds, and an explanation of storage options at IRS-approved depositories. Kits vary significantly in completeness; the omission of fee specifics or custodian identification is a reliable indicator of a provider that relies on the sales call rather than transparent pre-enrollment information.

Does requesting a free gold IRA kit trigger any IRS reporting or tax event?

No. Requesting a free gold IRA rollover kit does not trigger any IRS reporting obligation, does not initiate a distribution from any existing retirement account, and does not constitute a taxable event of any kind. It is an informational request with no financial or tax consequence. IRS reporting for gold IRA transactions begins only when a rollover is initiated, a contribution is made, or a distribution is taken — none of which result from a kit request alone.

Can I get a free gold IRA kit from multiple companies at the same time?

Yes, and doing so is advisable. Requesting kits from three or more providers simultaneously allows you to compare fee disclosures, IRS compliance accuracy, product eligibility information, and rollover mechanics side by side before speaking with any representative. Comparing kits before contact also reduces the anchoring effect that results from evaluating a second provider’s kit after already having a detailed sales conversation with the first. There is no IRS rule, contractual obligation, or financial consequence associated with requesting kits from multiple companies at once.

What gold coins and bars are eligible to be held in a gold IRA?

IRS-eligible gold coins and bars must meet a minimum fineness of .995 under IRC Section 408(m)(3)(B), with the exception of the American Gold Eagle, which is authorized at .9167 fineness by specific congressional statute. Eligible coins include American Gold Eagles, American Gold Buffalos, Canadian Gold Maple Leafs, Austrian Gold Philharmonics, and Australian Gold Kangaroos. Eligible bars include products from NYMEX- and COMEX-approved refiners such as PAMP Suisse, Valcambi, the Perth Mint, and Credit Suisse, provided the bars carry proper assay certification and meet the fineness threshold. South African Krugerrands, numismatic coins, pre-1933 gold coins, and gold jewelry are not eligible for IRA investment.

What is the difference between a direct rollover and an indirect rollover when funding a gold IRA?

In a direct rollover, funds move directly from your existing plan custodian to the new gold IRA custodian without you taking possession of the money. No taxes are withheld, no 60-day deadline applies, and the transfer does not count against your annual IRA contribution limit. In an indirect rollover, the funds are distributed to you personally, the plan administrator withholds 20% for federal income tax, and you have 60 days to deposit the full pre-tax amount — including the withheld 20% — into the new IRA. Missing the 60-day deadline converts the undistributed amount into a taxable distribution, with an additional 10% early withdrawal penalty applying if you are under age 59½. Most investors funding a gold IRA from a 401(k) or similar plan use a direct rollover to avoid the withholding and deadline risks of the indirect method.

Is home storage of IRA-owned gold legal?

No. IRA-owned physical gold must be stored at an IRS-approved depository. The IRS requires that IRA assets be held by a qualified trustee or custodian under IRC Section 408(a), and storing gold at home — regardless of the security measures in place — does not satisfy that requirement. LLC structures sometimes marketed as “checkbook IRA” or “home storage IRA” arrangements have been challenged by the IRS, and investors who have used such structures have faced account disqualification, immediate taxation of the full account balance, and early withdrawal penalties. The IRS has not approved any home storage arrangement for physical gold IRA assets.

What are the 2026 contribution limits for a gold IRA?

The 2026 IRA contribution limit is $7,000 per year across all IRAs combined for investors under age 50. Investors aged 50 and older may contribute up to $8,000 per year under the catch-up contribution provision. These limits apply to direct annual contributions and are per taxpayer, not per account. Rollovers from employer-sponsored plans such as 401(k) or 403(b) accounts are not subject to the annual contribution limit and can be used to fund a gold IRA with a much larger initial balance. Income limits apply to Roth IRA contributions but not to traditional IRA contributions or to rollovers.

What fees should a free gold IRA kit disclose before I open an account?

A complete free gold IRA kit should disclose account setup fees, annual custodian fees (ideally in dollar amounts for a standardized account size), annual storage fees for both segregated and commingled storage options, wire transfer fees, transaction fees for metals purchases and sales, and the dealer markup range above spot price. It should also clarify whether fees increase as the account grows or remain flat. Kits that describe fees as “competitive” or “low” without specific figures are preserving room to present a less favorable fee structure during the sales call. Total annual cost in dollars for a $100,000 account is the most useful single number to request before opening any gold IRA.