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Guides

The moves that matter, explained

Plain-language, in-depth guides to the decisions that shape a self-directed account.

Rollovers and transfers

How retirement money moves between accounts — and how to avoid the tax traps.

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Roth conversions

Pay tax now for tax-free later — and the pro-rata rule that surprises people.

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Required minimum distributions

When withdrawals become mandatory, how they are calculated, and how to avoid the penalty.

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Beneficiaries and inherited accounts

The form that overrides your will — and the rules heirs must follow.

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Prohibited transactions and disqualified persons

The line a self-directed account cannot cross — and who counts as family.

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UBIT and UDFI in retirement accounts

When a tax-advantaged account can still owe tax — and how to see it coming.

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Checkbook control

The IRA-owned LLC: faster transactions, and more responsibility on you.

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Auto-rollovers and finding lost retirement accounts

What happens to small balances when a job ends — and how to reclaim accounts you have lost track of.

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The complete guide to self-directed IRAs

What a self-directed IRA is, what you can and can’t hold, the rules that matter most, what it costs, and how to open one — in plain language.

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Stablecoins, in depth

What stablecoins are, how they hold their value, what they’re used for, the new rules that govern them, and the risks to weigh — a plain-language deep dive.

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Trump Accounts, in depth

What IRC § 530A actually says: the $1,000 federal seed, the $5,000 cap, index-fund-only investing, the absolute lockup until 18, and why California families should read the state line first.

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Educational only. This page is general information, not individualized investment, legal, or tax advice. Rules depend on your account type, transaction, tax year, and circumstances — consult a qualified professional.