What Makes Mountain West IRA Different

Mountain West IRA is a self-directed IRA administrator that lets you invest retirement funds in alternative assets, real estate, promissory notes, private placements, precious metals, and cryptocurrency,  all within a tax-advantaged account. Unlike traditional brokerages that limit you to stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, Mountain West IRA gives you the freedom to invest in what you know and understand best. Most transactions are processed within 3 business days, with an expedited 24-hour option available. Our team provides free educational resources, including webinars, how-to guides, and live workshops, to help you navigate IRS rules and prohibited transactions before you invest. Whether you're opening a Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP, SIMPLE IRA, or Individual 401(k), Mountain West IRA serves as your record-keeper and administrator, not your financial advisor. You make the investment decisions, and we handle the paperwork and IRS reporting.

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About Mountain West IRA

Founded by CEO Jon A. Galane in April of 2006, Mountain West IRA is one of the nation’s leading independent self-directed IRA and 401(k) administration companies, specializing in record keeping services for individuals and small business owners who desire to include non-traditional assets within their tax-deferred and tax-free portfolios. With our office in Idaho, Mountain West IRA prides itself in offering self-directed retirement plans to clients nationwide at the highest level of customer service in the industry.

Our goal is to assist you with your alternative asset purchases while paying little or no taxes.  Building wealth can be difficult, but our knowledgeable staff is dedicated to serving as your primary source for financial education, enabling you to make informed self-directed asset purchasing decisions.

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How It Works

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Schedule A Consultation

Schedule a free consultation with Mountain West IRA to discuss personalized retirement account solutions and allowable investments that align with your financial objectives.

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customize a plan

Customize your ideal retirement plan with Mountain West IRA, leveraging their expertise to design a tailored investment strategy aligned with your unique financial aspirations.

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build retirement wealth

Secure a prosperous future by building enduring retirement wealth through the diverse allowable investments available within a self-directed IRA.

How Self-Directed IRAs Work: The Complete
7-Step Process

How Self-Directed IRAs Work:
The Complete 7-Step Process

01

Select a Self-Directed IRA Administrator

Compare administrators on fee structure, supported asset types, processing turnaround, and available education. An administrator handles recordkeeping and IRS reporting. It does not select investments or give advice.

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02

Select an IRA Account Type

Traditional, Roth, SEP, SIMPLE, Individual(k), and HSA can all be self-directed. Self-direction changes what the account can invest in, not the contribution limits, income phase-outs, or distribution rules.

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03

Complete Your Application

Establish the account with your legal name, Social Security number, government-issued ID, and beneficiary designations. Most applications are submitted online and reviewed within a few business days.

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04

Fund the IRA: Transfer, Rollover, or Contribution

A transfer moves funds directly between two IRAs and is unlimited and non-reportable. A rollover moves funds from an employer plan. A contribution is new money, capped at $7,500 for 2026 ($8,600 at age 50+).

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05

Select an Investment

Real estate, promissory notes, private placements, precious metals, and cryptocurrency are all permitted. The Internal Revenue Code prohibits only life insurance and collectibles, plus transactions with disqualified persons under IRC Section 4975.

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06

Work With Your Administrator to Purchase the Investment

Submit a buy direction letter and the underlying transaction documents. Every document is titled in the name of the IRA, not your name, and funds move directly from the IRA to the seller.

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07

Your IRA Owns the Asset and Receives the Income

All income the asset produces, including rent, interest, dividends, and sale proceeds, returns to the IRA tax-deferred or tax-free. Each asset requires an annual fair market valuation for IRS Form 5498.

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Why People Choose Us

MWIRA has been so helpful. This was my first time setting up an IRA and they walked me through each step. If you are in uncharted waters, you have found the right island to rest your IRA on.
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Troy Bramblet

April 23, 2017

Mountain West IRA staff is very responsive and great to work with. They've really done a nice job for me.
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David Turnbull

November 5, 2018

Mountain West IRA provides excellent service and help for those seeking to alternatives to investing in stocks/bonds. Most helpful.
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James Poorbaugh

January 7, 2017

Absolutely BEST Self Directed IRA Custodian in the Industry!
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Brandon Rooks

April 5, 2017

The whole staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. Bianca, Raegan and Diana were able to get me started and then, walked me through all the steps needed. My investments are thriving due to their expertise.
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Ron Crooks

July 4, 2020

Navigating one's way through the intricacies of properly setting up a self-directed IRA can be challenging. In my experience, Mountain West was extremely helpful and supportive through the process and during my first couple of years of investing this way.
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Jon Rand

April 5, 2017

Free Retirement Planning eBook

Self-Directed IRAs Made Easy

Are you wanting to retire early? Get the chance to invest in a variety of alternative investments like real estate, precious metals and more through a self-directed IRA. Start building your wealth by investing in a much broader array of assets.

3,400+

Clients served nationwide

$1 Billion+

In retirement assets
administered
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Free Retirement Planning eBook

Self-Directed IRAs Made Easy

Are you wanting to retire early? Get the chance to invest in a variety of alternative investments like real estate, precious metals and more through a self-directed IRA. Start building your wealth by investing in a much broader array of assets.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Open a Roth Self-Directed IRA?

We have step-by-step directions HERE.
You may also view our Process Diagram HERE.
If you have any questions, please contact our office HERE.

Pay taxes now on the seed and your investments grow tax-free in a self-directed Roth IRA

One of the best ways to save for retirement is with a Mountain West self-directed Roth individual retirement account. Why? Because the growth and income on your investments are free from federal income tax as long as certain conditions are met.

If your current Roth IRA doesn’t allow for self-direction, you may transfer the funds to a Mountain West self-directed Roth IRA so that you may choose alternative investments you know best.

Currently, you may jump start a tax-free IRA by converting your traditional IRA to a self-directed Roth IRA. While this is a taxable event, your investments will grow tax free. There is no longer any income limitation to convert a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA.

Other advantages of a Roth IRA are contributions may be made as long as you earn income even after you are 70½ years old and there are no required distributions at any time. In most cases, a Roth IRA Holder may withdraw the principal amounts invested without any tax liability.

How to determine if a Mountain West IRA Self-Directed Roth IRA is right for you

Do you want tax-free earnings and no taxation on withdrawals?

Are you already saving for retirement with an employer sponsored plan?

Do you want to invest a retirement plan but may need to access your savings?

Do you expect your tax rate during retirement to be higher than your current tax rate?

Do you want to control what types of investments you put in your IRA?

Are you eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA?

Is Mountain West IRA a financial advisor?

No. Mountain West IRA is a passive, self-directed IRA administrator and record-keeper. We do not provide investment advice, sell financial products, or recommend specific investments. Our role is to process your transactions, prepare account statements, and file required reports with the IRS. You choose the investments, then we handle the administration. If you need tax or legal guidance, we recommend consulting a qualified professional.

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Join Our Family and Start Building Generational Wealth.

Meet with our team to explore your personalized journey of building wealth through investing in real estate, promissory notes, precious metals, and other alternative assets using your retirement funds.

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