529 plan contribution deadlines for state tax benefits

Facebook icon Twitter icon Print icon Email icon
Kathryn Flynn

By Kathryn Flynn

December 2, 2021

As the end of the year approaches, you may be looking for ways to reduce your taxable income. If you’re currently saving for college, you may qualify for a state income tax credit or deduction for contributions to a 529 plan. Over 30 states, including the District of Columbia, currently offer this type of perk, and the rules vary by state. The list below includes details about the tax benefits offered, the contribution deadline and the maximum 529 plan balance each state allows.

Click on the state’s name to see the plans it offers. Remember, you don’t have to use your home state’s plan and you can use a 529 college savings plan to pay for an eligible institution in any state.

Alabama

State tax benefit: Contributions and rollover contributions up to $5,000 for a single return and up to $10,000 for a joint return are deductible in computing Alabama taxable income.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $475,000

Arizona

State tax benefit: Contributions to in-state and out-of-state 529 plans of up to $2,000 for a single return and up to $4,000 for a joint return are deductible in computing Arizona taxable income.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $476,000

Arkansas

State tax benefit: Contributions up to $5,000 for a single return and up to $10,000 for a joint return are deductible in computing Arkansas taxable income, with a four-year carryforward of excess contributions. Contributions to a NON-Arkansas plan of up to $3,000 per year by an individual, and up to $6,000 per year by a married couple filing jointly, are deductible. Rollover contributions from another state’s plan are deductible in the amount of $7,500 per individual and $15,000 per couple.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate balance: $366,000

 

Colorado

State tax benefit: Contributions to a Colorado 529 plan by anyone are deductible in computing Colorado taxable income. Rollover contributions are not eligible. Note that beginning January 1, 2022, state tax deductions will be limited to $20,000 per taxpayer, per beneficiary for single filers, or $30,000 per tax filing, per beneficiary for joint tax return filers. For income tax years on or after January 1, 2023, the cap will be annually adjusted by the percentage change in the combined average annual costs of tuition and room and board for all state institutions of higher education.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate balance: $400,000

 

Connecticut

State tax benefit: Contributions and rollover contributions up to $5,000 for a single return and up to $10,000 for a joint return are deductible in computing Connecticut taxable income, including a five-year carryforward for excess contributions. Rollover contributions are not eligible.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $300,000

District of Columbia

State tax benefit: Contributions and rollover contributions up to $4,000 for a single return and up to $8,000 for joint taxpayers who each make a contribution to their own account, with a five-year carryfoward for excess contributions, are deductible in computing DC taxable income. Deductible contributions must be made by the account owner and rollover contributions are not eligible.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $500,000

Subscribe for the latest college saving tips and news:

* indicates required


 

Georgia

State tax benefit: Contributions of up to $4,000 per beneficiary per year for those filing a single return and $8,000 per year per beneficiary for those filing a joint return are deductible in computing Georgia taxable income. Incoming rollovers from other 529 plans do not qualify as contributions eligible for the state income tax deduction.

Deadline: April 15, 2022

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $235,000

 

Idaho

State tax benefit: Contributions and rollover contributions up to $6,000 for a single return and up to $12,000 for a joint return are deductible n computing Idaho taxable income.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $500,000

Illinois

State tax benefit: Contributions and rollover contributions up to $10,000 for a single return and up to $20,000 for a joint return are deductible from Illinois state income tax. Only the principal portion of rollover contributions is eligible.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $400,000

 

Indiana

State tax benefit: Indiana taxpayers can claim a 20% tax credit for contributions to an Indiana CollegeChoice 529 plan (maximum $1,000 per year) against state income tax. Rollover contributions and contributions generated from a rewards program are not eligible.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $450,000

Iowa

State tax benefit: Contributions and rollover contributions up to $3,474 for a single return and up to $6,948 for a joint return, each making their own contributions, are deductible in computing Iowa taxable income. Eligible contributions must be made by the account owner.

Deadline: April 30, 2022

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $420,000

 

Kansas

State tax benefit: Contributions to in-state and out-of-state 529 plans to $3,000 for a single return and up to $6,000 for a joint return are deductible from Kansas state income tax. Rollover contributions are not eligible.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $402,000

Louisiana

State tax benefit: Contributions up to $2,400 for a single return and up to $4,800 for a joint return are deductible from Louisiana state income tax. If the account owner does not take the maximum yearly deduction, the unused amount can be carried over to the next year to increase the cap. Double deductions of up to $4,800 per year may be claimed for an account opened for an eligible needy, non-related beneficiary.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $500,000

 

Maryland

State tax benefit: Contributions and rollover contributions up to $2,500 for a single return and up to $5,000 for married couples who each make a contribution to an account are deductible from Maryland state income tax, with a 10-year carryforward of excess contributions.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $350,000

Massachusetts

State tax benefit: Contributions up to $1,000 for a single return and up to $2,000 for a joint return are deductible in computing Massachusetts taxable income.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $400,000

 

Michigan

State tax benefit: Contributions up to $5,000 for a single return and up to $10,000 for a joint return, minus any qualified withdrawals taken in that year, are deductible in computing Michigan taxable income. Rollover contributions are not eligible.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $500,000

Minnesota

State tax benefit: Minnesota tax payers are eligible for a tax credit or a tax deduction for 529 plan contributions, depending on their income. Contributions to any state’s 529 plan of up to $1,500 per year by an individual, and up to $3,000 for a joint return are deductible in computing Minnesota taxable income. Residents with adjusted gross incomes of $75,000 or less are eligible to claim a tax credit equal to up to 50% of contributions, reduced by any withdrawals, with a maximum $500 credit.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $425,000

Mississippi

State tax benefit: Contributions and rollover contributions up to $10,000 for a single return and up to $20,000 for a joint return are deductible in computing Mississippi taxable income.

Deadline: April 15, 2022

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $235,000

Missouri

State tax benefit: Contributions to in-state and out-of-state 529 plans of up to $8,000 for a single return and up to $16,000 for a joint return are deductible in computing Missouri taxable income. Eligible contributions must be made by the account owner or a spouse. Rollover contributions are not eligible.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $325,000

 

Montana

State tax benefit: Contributions to in-state and out-of-state 529 plans of up to $3,000 for a single return and up to $6,000 for a joint return are deductible in computing Montana taxable income. Eligible contributions must be made by the account owner, their spouse or their custodian/parent.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $396,000

 

Nebraska

State tax benefit: Contributions and rollover contributions up to $5,000 for a single return and up to $10,000 for a joint return are deductible in computing Nebraska taxable income. Eligible contributions must be made by the account owner, or parents or guardians of UTMA/UGMA accounts.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $400,000

New Mexico

State tax benefit: Contributions are fully deductible in computing New Mexico taxable income.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $500,000

New York

State tax benefit: Contributions and rollover contributions up to $5,000 for a single return and up to $10,000 for a joint return are deductible in computing New York taxable income. Eligible contributions must be made by the account owner or their spouse.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $520,000

 

North Dakota

State tax benefit: Contributions up to $5,000 for a single return and up to $10,000 for a joint return are deductible in computing North Dakota taxable income.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $269,000

Ohio

State tax benefit: Contributions and rollover contributions up to $4,000 per beneficiary per year are deductible in computing Ohio taxable income, with an unlimited amount of carryforward of contributions above $4,000.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $462,000

Oklahoma

State tax benefit: Contributions and rollover contributions up to $10,000 for a single return and up to $20,000 for a joint return are deductible in computing Oklahoma taxable income, with a five-year carryforward of excess contributions.

Deadline: April 15, 2022

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $300,000

Oregon

State tax benefit: Contributions and rollover contributions up to $2,435 for a single return and up to $4,865 for a joint return are deductible in computing Oregon taxable income.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $400,000

 

Pennsylvania

State tax benefit: Contributions to in-state and out-of-state 529 plans up to the gift-tax exclusion amount ($15,000 and $30,000 in 2021) are deductible in computing Pennsylvania taxable income.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $511,758

Rhode Island

State tax benefit: Contributions $500 for a single return and up to $1,000 for a joint return are deductible in computing Rhode Island taxable income, with an unlimited carryforward of contributions above these amounts. Rollover contributions are not eligible.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $395,000

 

South Carolina

State tax benefit: Contributions and rollover contributions are fully deductible in computing South Carolina taxable income.

Deadline: April 15, 2022

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $500,000

Utah

State tax benefit: Contributions and rollover contributions up to $2,070 for a single return and up to $4,140 for a joint return are eligible for a 5% credit against Utah state income tax. In 2017, there is a maximum credit of $98 per beneficiary for single tax filers ($196 for joint filers). Eligible contributions must be made before the beneficiary turns 19. Account owner can receive a tax credit from contributions made by a non-owner.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $446,000

Vermont

State tax benefit: Contributions up to $2,500 for a single return and up to $5,000 for married couples who each make their own contributions are eligible for a 10% tax credit against Vermont state income tax. Eligible contributions must be made by the account owner or their joint tax filer. The principal portion of rollover contributions is eligible, provided the funds remain in the account through the entire tax year.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $352,800

 

Virginia

State tax benefit: Contributions up to $4,000 per account per year are deductible in computing Virginia taxable income, with an unlimited carryforward of excess contributions. For taxpayers at least 70 years of age, contributions are fully deductible.

Deadline: December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $500,000

West Virginia

State tax benefit: Contributions are fully deductible in computing West Virginia taxable income.

Deadline: Postmarked by December 31, 2021

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $400,000

Wisconsin

State tax benefit: Contributions and the principal portion of rollover contributions to in-state or out-of-state 529 plans up to $3,380 per beneficiary per year ($1,690 for those married filing separately or divorced), are deductible in computing Wisconsin taxable income. The principal portion of contributions above $3,380 may be carried forward until the total amount of contributions has been deducted.

Deadline: April 15, 2022

Maximum aggregate plan balance: $472,000

 

A good place to start:

See the best 529 plans, personalized for you

×