Rules of Gold · Updated quarterly

Gold & silver rules,
in your state.

Sales tax. Capital gains. Bullion depositories. Legal tender bills. The rules collectors and investors actually need — for all 50 states plus DC.

Pick your state

Color-coded by collector friendliness. Click any state for the full breakdown.

42 sales-tax exempt
9 no capital gains
4 bullion depositories
11 recognize legal tender

Most collector-friendly states

Ranked across four signals: legal-tender recognition, sales-tax exemption, capital-gains treatment, and operational depository.

TX · 4/4 favorability

Texas

Legal tender · Sales-tax exempt · No capital gains · Has depository

See the rules
AK · 3/4 favorability

Alaska

Legal tender · Sales-tax exempt · No capital gains

See the rules
AZ · 3/4 favorability

Arizona

Legal tender · Sales-tax exempt · No capital gains

See the rules
AR · 3/4 favorability

Arkansas

Legal tender · Sales-tax exempt · No capital gains

See the rules
ID · 3/4 favorability

Idaho

Legal tender · Sales-tax exempt · No capital gains

See the rules
WY · 3/4 favorability

Wyoming

Legal tender · Sales-tax exempt · No capital gains

See the rules

Common questions

As of the latest update, 42 states either have no general sales tax or specifically exempt investment-grade bullion. Some apply a transaction-size threshold (e.g., California exempts purchases above $1,500). Click into your state for the specifics.

When a state recognizes gold or silver as legal tender, transactions denominated in those metals are protected from state-level capital gains treatment in many cases. It does not require merchants to accept bullion. Currently 11 states have such recognition on the books.

A state-chartered facility that custodies bullion for residents and institutions, often with audit and insurance standards set by state statute. Texas, Tennessee, Wyoming, and Utah currently operate or authorize such facilities.

We refresh the legislative copy quarterly from each state's department of revenue and recently passed bills. Each state page shows its last-reviewed date. State laws change — always confirm with your CPA or state tax authority before acting on a major transaction.

Each state page lists the city directories, and each city page lists vetted local dealers with their contact info, hours, and inventory categories. Click your state above to drill in.

No. The Rules of Gold pages are reference information only, not tax or legal advice. For purchases, sales, or estate planning involving precious metals, consult a CPA or tax attorney licensed in your state.

About this page. Information current as of the most recent quarterly review. State laws change. Sample dealer entries may appear during the build phase — flagged where applicable. Always confirm material facts with your CPA, state department of revenue, or a coin dealer trade association before acting on a transaction. Fair Market Value does not provide legal or tax advice.

Track your collection at fair-market value, in any state.

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