State guide · Facts checked October 24, 2026
Gold IRA Companies in South Carolina
Federal rules treat every gold IRA the same — the real differences between states sit at the edges, and they are real money. On the way in: South Carolina waives sales tax on qualifying bullion outright — purchases of any size go untaxed. On the way out: South Carolina taxes IRA distributions as ordinary income, with no blanket retirement exclusion.
Below you'll find the ten companies our desk rates, the sourcing behind each South Carolina fact (state revenue publications, with check dates), and where approved storage sits. Where a rule is in flux, we say so on the page.
Rated gold IRA companies serving South Carolina
Scores come from our national comparison (five weighted criteria, published methodology). State changes what you pay around the purchase — not the service quality you should expect.
| Company | Overall | Fees | Feedback | Min. investment | HQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noble Gold Investments | 4.1 | 3.5 | 4.5 | Varies — see review | Encino, California (16830 Ventura Blvd, Suite 326) [verify — many readers assume Texas because of the company's Texas depository marketing] |
| GoldStar Trust | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | N/A (custodian) | Amarillo, TX |
| Augusta Precious Metals | 4.0 | 3.0 | 4.5 | $50,000 for cash or IRA purchases | Casper, WY [verify — BBB profile lists a Beverly Hills, CA address] |
| Advantage Gold | 3.9 | 3.5 | 4.0 | $10,000–$25,000 | Austin, TX |
| Birch Gold Group | 3.9 | 3.5 | 3.5 | $5,000 recommended minimum | 309 Court Avenue, Suite 809, Des Moines, IA 50309 [verify — historically associated with Beverly Hills, CA] |
| Goldco | 3.9 | 3.5 | 4.0 | $25,000 generally required for gold IRA… | Woodland Hills, CA |
| American Hartford Gold | 3.8 | 3.5 | 4.0 | $10,000 for a Gold IRA | Los Angeles, CA |
| Lear Capital | 3.3 | 3.0 | 3.5 | $10,000 for a Gold IRA | Los Angeles, CA |
| Preserve Gold | 3.2 | 3.0 | 3.5 | $10,000–$25,000 | Woodland Hills, California |
| Regal Assets | 1.3 | 2.0 | 1.0 | $5,000 | Burbank, CA |
Scale 1–5. Criteria and caps: methodology.
Buying bullion in South Carolina: sales tax
South Carolina exempts refined gold, silver and platinum bullion and monetized (legal tender) coins from sales tax (S.C. Code §12-36-2120(70)); copper, palladium and numismatic products remain taxable.
Watch: Some dealers report a ~1% local tax consideration on non-exempt items.
Source: S.C. Code §12-36-2120(70) · checked October 24, 2026
Taking distributions in South Carolina
South Carolina taxes IRA distributions as ordinary income at progressive rates up to 6.2% (2025); taxpayers 65+ can deduct up to $10,000 of retirement income.
Source: South Carolina Department of Revenue · checked October 24, 2026
Storing IRA metals: South Carolina options
IRS rules bar self-storage: your metals sit with an approved depository your custodian uses. Storage choice affects fees and logistics more than most buyers expect — here is what South Carolina investors actually use:
| Facility | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Depository Service Company | Wilmington, DE | National default vault for South Carolina IRA investors. |
| Brink's global vault networkunconfirmed | Nationwide (regional vaults) | Regional storage hubs; confirm current IRA storage with your custodian. |
South Carolina cities
Local pages for the largest South Carolina cities are being prepared:
- Charleston in progress
- Columbia in progress
- North Charleston in progress