SDIRA custodians
IRA Financial
IRA Financial is a self-directed retirement account provider for people who want to hold alternative assets inside a tax-advantaged account. Its account types are self-directed IRAs (traditional, Roth, SEP and SIMPLE), checkbook-control IRA LLCs, solo 401(k) plans for owner-only businesses, ROBS structures for buying or starting a business with retirement funds, self-directed HSAs and Coverdell ESAs, and a crypto account under the IRAfi Crypto brand. Account holders use them to buy real estate, private placements, precious metals, tax liens and deeds, investment funds and publicly traded stock.
The firm sets up the account and the documents, then supports it: annual compliance and report filings for the LLCs and corporations used in checkbook and ROBS structures, IRS and state filing support, and account management through an online platform and app. Live support runs Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm Central, with phone, email and chat. Pricing is described as a flat annual model rather than fees scaled to account value, and the site states a $495 annual fee on the self-directed IRA. IRA Financial states that it is not a law firm and provides retirement account facilitation and document services only, and that custodian-related service costs sit outside its own professional fees.
The company was founded in 2010 by a tax attorney and is headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It is a South Dakota-chartered trust company regulated by the South Dakota Division of Banking, and says client funds are held with an IRS-approved qualified custodian in segregated accounts that are never commingled, with cash potentially eligible for FDIC or SIPC coverage subject to limits. It reports more than 27,000 active accounts, over $8B in assets under administration, a 97% client retention rate, and clients in all 50 states.
Fee detail beyond the $495 annual IRA fee is not published on the pages reviewed. Ask for the full schedule, including setup fees, LLC filing costs and crypto account charges, and confirm which custodian holds the assets for the account type being opened.
Best for
Real estate and crypto investors who want checkbook control over retirement money and a flat annual fee, and self-employed owners opening a solo 401(k). Anyone wanting investment advice should look elsewhere: the firm files and administers, it does not advise.
What they do
- Self-directed IRAs (traditional, Roth, SEP, SIMPLE)
- Checkbook-control IRA LLC structures
- Solo 401(k) plans for owner-only businesses
- ROBS business financing structures
- Self-directed HSAs and Coverdell ESAs
- IRAfi Crypto retirement accounts
- Annual LLC and corporation compliance filings
- Custody of real estate, private placements and precious metals
- Tax lien and deed investing accounts
- Free consultations and account setup support
Details
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2010 |
| Ownership | Private |
| Other offices | Sioux Falls, SD |
| Licenses | South Dakota-chartered trust company, regulated by the South Dakota Division of Banking |
| How they charge | The self-directed IRA carries a $495 annual fee; the firm describes a flat-rate model with no asset-value fees or commissions. |
What stands out
- Reports more than 27,000 active accounts and over $8B in assets under administration, with a 97% client retention rate.
- Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
- A South Dakota-chartered trust company regulated by the South Dakota Division of Banking.
- Says it serves clients in all 50 U.S. states.
- The self-directed IRA is sold on a flat $495 annual fee, with no asset-value fees or commissions.
Common questions
- What is a checkbook-control IRA?
- It is a self-directed IRA that invests through an LLC the account owns. The account holder has checkbook control over investment decisions through that LLC rather than routing every transaction through the custodian, which the firm presents as a faster, more direct way to buy assets such as real estate.
- What are the customer service hours?
- Live support runs Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm Central time. Outside those hours the site takes a contact form or email to info@irafinancial.com.
- How quickly does IRA Financial respond to enquiries?
- The firm says it aims to respond to all enquiries within 24 to 48 business hours, and that calling directly is the fastest route for anything urgent.