what s the difference between a taxable brokerage and an ira 
brokerage accounts are taxable investment accounts through which you can buy and sell stocks and other securities iras are designed for retirement savers and allow tax free or tax deferred growth on the investments you hold in the account unlike brokerage accounts iras have strict contribution limits and withdrawals may trigger a penalty brokerage accounts and iras are taxed differently which can be a deciding factor when choosing an account 