COLLEGE SAVINGS 101

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Summarizes and compares the features of 529 plans, 529 ABLE plans, ESAs, UTMAs, IRAs, and education savings bonds.

YEAR 2024 RULESCoverdell Education Savings Accounts
Federal Income TaxNon-deductible contributions; withdrawn earnings excluded from income to extent of qualified higher education expenses and qualified K-12 expenses also excluded
Federal Gift Tax TreatmentContributions treated as completed gifts; apply $17,000 annual exclusion
Federal Estate Tax TreatmentValue removed from donor's gross estate
Maximum Investment$2,000 per beneficiary per year combined from all sources
Qualified ExpensesTuition, fees, books, supplies, equipment, special needs; room & board for min. half- time students; additional types of K-12 expenses
Able to Change BeneficiaryYes, to another member of the beneficiary's family
Time/Age RestrictionsContributions before beneficiary reaches age 18; use of account by age 30
Income RestrictionsContributions phase out for incomes between $190,000 and $220,000 (joint filers) or $95,000 and $110,000 (single filers). No annual inflation adjustment
Federal Financial AidCounted as asset of parent if owner is parent or dependent student
InvestmentsBroad range of securities and certain other investments
Use for Nonqualifying ExpensesWithdrawn earnings subject to federal tax and 10% penalty
 

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