Gold in an IRA does not sit in your closet or your safe. Under IRC §408(m)(3), IRA bullion is eligible only while it is “in the physical possession of a trustee described under subsection (a) of this section” — a bank or another person the IRS approves under §408(a)(2). In practice, custodians store IRA metals with a third-party depository they arrange; ask yours which one it uses.
§408(m) excepts qualifying bullion from the collectibles rule only “if such bullion is in the physical possession of a trustee described under subsection (a) of this section.” The trustee is defined in §408(a)(2): a bank, or another person who demonstrates to the IRS that it will administer the trust consistently with the tax rules. Keeping IRA metals at home fails the condition — see can you hold IRA gold at home for the full answer.
Depositories commonly offer two arrangements. Commingled storage keeps your metals pooled with identical items owned by other clients. Segregated storage keeps your items identified and stored separately as yours. Custodians set their own terms — ask which arrangement is offered and at what fee before you fund. The fee types are listed in Gold IRA Fees & Disclosures.
Your IRA custodian is the trustee named in §408(a) — it arranges storage and maintains the account. Elite Coin Group is a dealer, not an IRA custodian. For how custodians work and what to weigh when choosing one, see Self-Directed Precious Metals IRA: Rules, Fees & Risks.
No. IRA bullion must be in the physical possession of a trustee the IRS approves under §408(a)(2) — home storage does not meet §408(m)(3). Can you hold IRA gold at home has the full answer.
Your custodian does — it arranges storage for the account. Ask which depository your metals would sit in, and what the storage fee is, before you fund. The self-directed IRA guide covers evaluating custodians.
That follows your custodian’s process. Ask before you fund how the custodian handles in-kind distributions and delivery, so you know the steps in advance.
Questions about IRA-eligible coins or storage? Call 888-369-2950 or use the contact page.
Fact-checked by the Elite Coin Group team against the cited IRS and IRC sources. Last reviewed November 9, 2026. This page is general information, not tax or legal advice.
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