Savings Bonds

I havent funded my 2005 roth ira yet. I have about 1500
dollars(accumulated value), in e type bonds that I have from about
1980-1990. They are drawing 4 per cent interest.
Two questions
1) Is it possible to use these to fund a roth ira, either by themselves or
preferably transfer them to my mutual fund ira account, without paying taxes
on them

2) Or if i have to pay taxes on them, should I hold onto them. The first
ones dont fully mature until 2009

Much regards

Re: Savings Bonds

"j.lef" <> wrote in message
news:8rBYe.13079$
> I havent funded my 2005 roth ira yet. I have about 1500
> dollars(accumulated value), in e type bonds that I have from about
> 1980-1990. They are drawing 4 per cent interest.
> Two questions
> 1) Is it possible to use these to fund a roth ira, either by themselves
> or preferably transfer them to my mutual fund ira account, without paying
> taxes on them
>
> 2) Or if i have to pay taxes on them, should I hold onto them. The first
> ones dont fully mature until 2009
>
> Much regards

I would just keep them. $1,500 won't make much of a difference either way.
I think you can have your bonds in an IRA but you need a custodian like a
bank or broker.
I don't think you can transfer the bonds you own into an IRA, pretty sure
you'd have to cash out and pay taxes.