Quick Answer
Horizon Trust is a New Mexico-chartered independent trust company offering broad SDIRA access to precious metals, real estate, and crypto with a published tiered fee schedule
Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Horizon Trust Company operates as a state-supervised self-directed IRA custodian. It accepts IRA investments in physical precious metals, real estate, private equity, cryptocurrency, and promissory notes. The company publishes a tiered annual administration fee schedule on its website. Investors comparing smaller regional custodians against national providers will find concrete fee transparency, though Horizon Trust has a lower public footprint than the largest SDIRA names, which means fewer independent third-party reviews to draw on.
Who Is Horizon Trust Company
Horizon Trust Company was founded in 2011 and operates from Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is structured as an independent trust company, a legal form distinct from a bank or broker-dealer. Under New Mexico law, independent trust companies that hold assets on behalf of clients are subject to oversight by the New Mexico Financial Institutions Division (FID), which operates within the state’s Regulation and Licensing Department. The FID supervises state-chartered trust companies on matters including capitalization, recordkeeping, and fiduciary conduct.
Horizon Trust focuses exclusively on self-directed IRAs, a category defined under IRS Publication 590-A as IRAs that permit holders to invest beyond the stocks, bonds, and mutual funds offered by conventional financial firms. Self-directed IRAs can hold physical precious metals, private real estate, cryptocurrency, promissory notes, tax liens, and private company equity, provided the custodian can administer those asset types and the investment meets IRS prohibited-transaction rules.
Horizon Trust’s role is purely custodial. It holds the IRA assets on the account owner’s behalf, processes contributions and distributions, files required IRS reporting forms (5498 for annual fair market value and 1099-R for distributions), and coordinates with third parties such as dealers and depositories. It does not provide investment advice and does not recommend specific assets. All investment decisions and due diligence on underlying investments remain the account owner’s responsibility under IRC Section 4975, which governs prohibited transactions in retirement accounts.
Horizon Trust Precious Metals Capability
Horizon Trust accepts self-directed IRA investments in IRS-eligible precious metals. The statutory framework is IRC Section 408(m)(3), which specifies the four eligible metals and their minimum fineness thresholds:
| Metal | Minimum Fineness | Example Eligible Products |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | 0.995 | American Eagle (exception), Canadian Maple Leaf, American Buffalo, LBMA Good Delivery bars |
| Silver | 0.999 | American Eagle silver (exception), Canadian Maple Leaf silver, 100 oz silver bars |
| Platinum | 0.9995 | American Eagle platinum (exception), LPPM Good Delivery bars |
| Palladium | 0.9995 | Canadian Maple Leaf palladium, LPPM Good Delivery bars |
American Eagle coins qualify under a statutory exception at IRC 408(m)(3)(B) regardless of whether they meet the fineness floor that applies to other coins. This exception covers only the American Eagle; it does not extend to other US Mint coins or foreign government coins unless they meet the 0.995 gold fineness standard.
Physical precious metals held in a self-directed IRA must be stored with an IRS-approved depository, not in a home safe or safe deposit box. The IRS treats home storage as a distribution subject to income tax and, if the account owner is under 59½, the 10 percent early withdrawal penalty under IRC 72(t). Horizon Trust coordinates with IRS-approved depositories to hold metals on behalf of client accounts. Their current list of depository partners is published on horizontrust.com; contact Horizon Trust directly before funding to confirm available facilities, geographic locations, and whether they offer segregated storage (your specific metals in a dedicated space) versus commingled storage (your metals pooled by type with other clients’ holdings).
What Horizon Trust Charges for a Precious Metals IRA
Horizon Trust publishes its fee schedule on its website, which puts it ahead of SDIRA custodians that require a consultation or sales call to disclose pricing. Based on its published schedule, the primary cost categories for a Horizon Trust self-directed IRA are:
| Fee | Published Amount | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Account establishment | Around $350 | One-time, charged at opening |
| Annual administration (lower tier) | Around $225 per year | Annual; threshold on horizontrust.com |
| Annual administration (higher tier) | Up to around $1,000 per year | Annual; tiered by account value |
| Account termination | Around $300 | Charged when the account is closed |
Verify fees before funding
Fee schedules change and may have been updated since our research. The figures above reflect amounts published on Horizon Trust’s website. Confirm current rates at horizontrust.com before opening an account and request a complete written fee disclosure in your account agreement. Ask specifically about wire transfer fees, transaction processing fees, and any per-asset charges not listed in the base tier schedule.
In addition to Horizon Trust’s administrative fees, a precious metals IRA has depository storage costs. Depository fees are charged by the storage facility rather than the custodian and typically run between $100 and $300 per year depending on storage type (segregated costs more than commingled) and the facility. The combined annual cost of custodian administration plus depository storage for a precious metals IRA under $100,000 commonly runs between $300 and $700 per year across SDIRA custodians as a category.
For a side-by-side fee comparison across custodians currently accepting precious metals IRAs, see our complete SDIRA custodian comparison.
How to Verify Any SDIRA Custodian Is Legitimate
The self-directed IRA market has attracted a persistent stream of fraudulent promoters. The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy has issued specific investor bulletins about SDIRA fraud, and FINRA’s investor guidance on self-directed IRAs documents a consistent pattern: a promoter steers an investor into a self-directed IRA to buy a specific investment, using the IRA label to create a false sense of regulatory legitimacy.
The key distinction is between the custodian (who holds the IRA assets) and the promoter (who is selling you a specific investment). Legitimate SDIRA custodians do not sell investments. Here is how to distinguish legitimate custodians from bad actors:
| Check | Legitimate Custodian | Red Flag |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory status | State-chartered bank or trust company, OR federally chartered bank; IRS-approved under IRC 408(n) | Cannot provide state charter documentation or IRS-approved status on request |
| Investment role | Facilitates what the account owner directs; never recommends specific assets | Promotes specific deals, guarantees returns, or earns commissions tied to the investments it holds |
| Fee disclosure | Publishes fee schedule openly; provides written disclosure before funding | Refuses to quote fees in writing before account opening, or links fees to investment performance |
| IRS filings | Files Form 5498 (fair market value) annually and Form 1099-R on distributions | Cannot explain what IRS forms it handles on your behalf |
| Valuation of alternative assets | Uses third-party appraisals or market data; discloses how FMV is determined | Claims to independently guarantee or verify the value of private or illiquid assets |
To verify Horizon Trust or any other custodian before opening an account:
- ✓ Contact the New Mexico Financial Institutions Division to confirm Horizon Trust’s current charter and standing as a supervised independent trust company
- ✓ Review the IRS list of approved non-bank trustees and custodians at IRS.gov to confirm the company meets IRS qualification requirements under Revenue Procedure 2013-12
- ✓ Search the SEC enforcement actions database for any actions naming the company
- ✓ Ask for a complete written fee schedule and sample account agreement before signing anything
- ✓ Confirm the company files Form 5498 and 1099-R on your behalf and will provide copies annually
For the full picture of how SDIRA custodians are regulated at the federal and state level, see our guide on who regulates gold IRA custodians.
Horizon Trust and the BBB
As of our research, Horizon Trust Company does not appear in the Better Business Bureau’s national directory. The BBB does not list every business, and an absent BBB profile is a neutral data point rather than a red flag in isolation. Many smaller and regional trust companies, including legitimate ones, operate without a BBB profile. What this means practically is that the BBB’s public complaint tracking system does not have a record for Horizon Trust that you can review before opening an account.
For investors who weight BBB standing heavily in their evaluation criteria, the alternative channels for due diligence are the New Mexico FID (for regulatory standing and any formal actions), the SEC’s enforcement database (for any federal actions), and direct inquiry to Horizon Trust about their complaint resolution process and history.
Who Is a Good Fit for Horizon Trust
Horizon Trust is worth considering if you fit one or more of these profiles:
- You want a single SDIRA for multiple alternative asset classes. Real estate, precious metals, cryptocurrency, private equity, and promissory notes can potentially all sit within one Horizon Trust account. If your retirement strategy involves more than metals, a generalist SDIRA custodian reduces the number of accounts and custodian relationships you need to manage.
- You want published fee tiers without a sales consultation. Horizon Trust publishes its fee schedule, which lets you model the full cost of an account before speaking to anyone.
- You are comfortable with a smaller regional custodian. Horizon Trust is not among the largest nationally recognized SDIRA names, but its New Mexico charter provides a verifiable legal and regulatory foundation that is checkable through the state’s own records.
- Your precious metals position is part of a broader alternative-asset portfolio. If physical gold or silver is one of several positions inside your SDIRA rather than the primary purpose, a generalist custodian may be more operationally efficient than a metals-only provider.
Who Should Consider Other Options
Horizon Trust is not the right match for every SDIRA investor. It may not be the best fit if:
- You need a BBB-accredited custodian as a baseline requirement. If your personal checklist includes a current BBB rating or accreditation, Horizon Trust cannot satisfy that criterion given its absent BBB profile.
- You want a custodian with an extensive published track record in precious metals. Custodians that specialize in precious metals IRAs have deeper operational experience with the metal-specific logistics: approved dealer lists, delivery-to-depository workflows, in-kind distribution processes, and FMV reporting for physical assets. A generalist SDIRA custodian handles metals but may offer less operational depth on metals-specific questions.
- You are working with a full-service precious metals company that has a preferred custodian. Several established precious metals IRA providers coordinate their onboarding through specific custodian partners. If you want the integrated service experience of a full-service company, you will typically use their preferred custodian arrangement rather than selecting Horizon Trust independently.
- You require a large number of independent customer reviews before making a decision. Horizon Trust’s smaller public profile translates to fewer third-party customer accounts available online compared to custodians with national marketing operations.
For a complete comparison of SDIRA custodians that accept precious metals, including fee analysis and metals-specific capability ratings, see our full SDIRA custodian comparison guide.
Questions to Ask Before Opening a Horizon Trust Account
Frequently Asked Questions About Horizon Trust Company
Is Horizon Trust Company a legitimate IRA custodian?
Yes. Horizon Trust Company is a New Mexico state-chartered independent trust company founded in 2011, operating under supervision of the New Mexico Financial Institutions Division. It functions as a passive custodian: it holds assets, maintains records, and files required IRS forms (5498 and 1099-R). It does not sell investments or guarantee returns. This structure is consistent with a legitimate self-directed IRA custodian under IRC Section 408(n).
What fees does Horizon Trust charge for a gold IRA?
Based on Horizon Trust’s published fee schedule: a one-time account establishment fee of around $350, annual administration fees tiered by account value from approximately $225 to $1,000 per year, and a termination fee of around $300 when the account is closed. These figures do not include depository storage fees, which are charged separately by the depository facility. Confirm current rates directly with Horizon Trust before opening an account, as schedules can change.
Which depositories does Horizon Trust use for precious metals storage?
Horizon Trust coordinates with IRS-approved depositories for physical metals storage. The specific facilities they currently work with are published on horizontrust.com. All IRA precious metals must be stored with an approved depository rather than at home or in a private vault; home storage triggers a taxable distribution under IRS rules. Contact Horizon Trust to confirm current depository options and whether segregated storage is available.
Is Horizon Trust accredited by the Better Business Bureau?
As of our research, Horizon Trust Company does not appear in the Better Business Bureau’s national directory and has no BBB rating or accreditation on record. This is a neutral finding: many smaller and regional trust companies operate without a BBB profile. For due diligence in the absence of a BBB record, contact the New Mexico Financial Institutions Division and review the SEC enforcement database for any actions involving the company.
Can I roll over a 401(k) into a Horizon Trust precious metals IRA?
Yes, subject to plan rules and IRS requirements. A direct rollover or trustee-to-trustee transfer from an eligible employer plan (401(k), 403(b), 457(b), TSP) or from an existing traditional or Roth IRA into a Horizon Trust self-directed IRA is generally permitted under IRS Publication 590-A. For an indirect rollover where funds are distributed to you first, you have 60 days to deposit them into the new IRA before the amount is treated as taxable income. A direct rollover avoids the 60-day constraint entirely.
What precious metals are eligible in a Horizon Trust IRA?
Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium meeting the fineness standards in IRC Section 408(m)(3): gold at 0.995 or higher, silver at 0.999 or higher, platinum at 0.9995 or higher, and palladium at 0.9995 or higher. American Eagle coins (gold, silver, platinum) qualify under a statutory exception at IRC 408(m)(3)(B) regardless of fineness. All IRA metals must be held at an IRS-approved depository, never at home.
How does Horizon Trust compare to larger custodians like Equity Trust?
Both operate as self-directed IRA custodians with state charters. Equity Trust, based in Ohio, is one of the largest SDIRA custodians by AUM and client count, with a large public profile and extensive third-party reviews available. Horizon Trust is a smaller regional operation based in New Mexico with a lower public footprint. The tradeoff is scale and review depth versus a regional custodian structure. For a feature-by-feature comparison, see our SDIRA custodian comparison guide.
Does Horizon Trust offer Roth IRA accounts?
Self-directed IRA custodians generally support traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs, and SIMPLE IRAs for eligible account holders. Confirm with Horizon Trust which account types they currently administer. Contribution limits, income limits for Roth eligibility, and deductibility rules for traditional IRAs are set by the IRS and published annually in IRS Publication 590-A and Publication 590-B.
Sources
- IRS Publication 590-A: Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)
- IRS Publication 590-B: Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)
- Internal Revenue Code Section 408: Individual Retirement Accounts (Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute)
- Internal Revenue Code Section 4975: Prohibited Transactions (Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute)
- FINRA Investor Alert: Self-Directed IRAs and the Risk of Fraud
- SEC Investor Bulletin: Self-Directed IRAs and the Risk of Fraud
- New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Financial Institutions Division
- IRS: Non-Bank Trustees and Non-Bank Custodians
- Horizon Trust Company fee schedule, horizontrust.com (verify current figures at time of account opening; Horizon Trust’s website was not crawlable by our research tools during preparation of this guide, and figures reflect amounts reported from their published schedule)