Does the IRS Know If You Sell Silver?

Above, 2023 Canadian silver Maple Leaf coins. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is tempting to sell one's silver while the price of the metal is high. 

But, doing so may attract the attention of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It depends upon HOW one sells their silver.

CBS News posted an article on, "Does the IRS know of you sell silver?"

It begins with:

The precious metals market is capturing renewed investor attention thanks, in large part, to economic uncertainty driving heightened demand for tangible assets, which is helping to push up the price of these assets. And, while gold tends to dominate headlines with its record-breaking prices, it's certainly not the only precious metal that investors have been flocking to. Silver prices have also been climbing rapidly, especially over the past few months, leading silver to hit new record highs along the way. But at just over $88 per ounce, silver is still substantially more affordable than gold, making it a popular alternative for those who want to capitalize on today's precious metals market movement while diversifying their portfolios. 

But whether you own silver in bars, coins or other formats, a question often emerges when it comes time to sell: What does the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) know about your transactions? After all, the precious metals market operates in a complex regulatory landscape, and the rules governing reporting requirements vary significantly based on the type of silver you're selling and the quantity involved. So, it makes sense to understand both the IRS reporting obligations and whether the federal agency knows about your silver transactions before you sell your assets. 

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