Financial Advisor Gregory Ricks Discusses What You Should Know Before You Buy Gold

Financial Advisor Gregory Ricks recently explained what every retiree should know about buying gold before purchasing it.

Metairie, LA – March 4, 2013 – Gregory Ricks, Founder and CEO of Gregory Ricks & Associates, and a registered investment adviser, recently discussed the difference between reportable and non-reportable gold investment and why the distinction is important. Mr. Ricks explains:

There are tax consequences to getting this wrong and there are other government issues to consider.  The key discussion should be: What is a reportable vs. a non-reportable commodity purchase? Gold & Silver Bullion of any size is a REPORTABLE commodity.  So, if you are fearful of the economy, or a possible future demise of the dollar, this money is “on the radar.”

In 1933, the U.S. dollar was convertible to gold, rendering the government incapable of printing more money, as it is apt to do today. With fiscal discipline enforced by this convertibility, our faithful politicians (even back then) did the next best thing — they promptly confiscated American citizens’ gold, via executive order 6102 (signed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt), while remunerating them for the then-fair market value of $20.67 an ounce. Upon the successful completion of its gold confiscation, the U.S. government adopted the Gold Reserve Act in January 1934, which revalued the nominal price of gold from $20.67 to $35.00 per troy ounce. What a risk-free profitable trade for the federal reserve!

Mr. Ricks continued by providing an anecdote explaining why it’s important to ask whether a purchase is reportable or non-reportable:

Let’s say you have a shady seller who sells you a 32.15 oz Johnson Gold Kilo Bar for $56,100 today and does NOT report it as required. Five years later gold hits $5,000 an ounce (awesome for you !), BUT that dealer is gone. With more governmental enforcement, all buyers of gold will report (because they will face this same tax nightmare on their purchase if they don’t) and they enter you into the system with a $160,750 sale. What’s your capital gain?

Since you “worked” the system and stayed off the radar by getting a seller to not report; your basis is $0.00 Now when you sell you are taxed on a $160,750 gain – this is NOT subject to debate – this is fact and it is easily researched – you’ll pay 20% (or, the then current capital gain tax rate). Buying reportable commodities sets you up for tax scrutiny (FYI, I am not suggesting you buy non-reportable metals to avoid taxes – you are subject to gains and losses, but, the record keeping is your responsibility).

In addition, as you can see from above, the government tracks reportable commodities and the last go around proved that the seller (the American public) got a lousy deal. Does it make sense to buy gold coins? Please don’t hesitate to contact me to help you understand your best options!
For more information on this topic, or to learn how Gregory Ricks can help, please visit www.gregoryricks.com.

About Gregory Ricks:

Founder & CEO, Gregory Ricks & Associates, Inc.

http://www.GregoryRicks.com 504-832-9200

Gregory Ricks, a registered investment adviser, is the Founder and CEO of Gregory Ricks & Associates, Inc. and is the Radio Talk Show Host of “Winning at Life with Gregory Ricks,” on Rush Radio 99.5 WRNO on Saturday mornings.  He is Louisiana’s 401k and Retirement Authority and author of the upcoming book, Winning at Life in Retirement, in which the emphasis is to avoid losing money to Wall Street, to avoid losing money to Uncle Sam and to protect assets from runaway health care costs late in life. He is a nationally sought after Wealth Manager, Tax Reduction Strategist and an Ed Slott Master Elite IRA Advisor who has been educating, advising and guiding clients for 28 years.  He has a unique vision and ability to look forward and help retirees see the financial road ahead so they know with certainty where they are, where they’re headed and where they’ll end up at any given point in time up to 10, 15 or 20 years out including changes in direction.  He does the math to ensure their monies are using the right tools and doing the right jobs for the right period of time so they win at life in retirement.

Posted Under: Gregory Ricks