Are you looking for a way to support your child or grandchild in pursuit of further education?
Are you seeking an immediate tax deduction as well as tax-deferred growth on your contributions?
Do you also want flexibility in your investment options and to have them available at a low cost?
A 529 Plan checks all of those boxes!
A 529 Plan is a college savings plan that is sponsored by a state, wherein the funds can be used for tuition, books, and other education-related expenses at most accredited colleges and universities, vocational-tech schools, and some foreign institutions.
Any US resident (18 and older) may contribute to a 529 plan. The earnings grow free of federal taxation and, in the state of Iowa, you also receive a state tax deduction (in 2022, up to $3,522 per beneficiary).
When the funds are withdrawn for eligible expenses, the distributions are free of taxation. If the funds are withdrawn for an ineligible purpose, a 10% federal tax penalty is applied, as well as state tax.
The account owner/contributor may also change the beneficiary. For example, if one child goes to a more expensive school, the owner can change the beneficiary to direct more funds to the child with more college expenses. The cost for the Iowa program is just 0.18% per year.
There’s also good news for grandparents who own a 529 college savings plan for their grandchildren. With new changes to the FAFSA process, grandparents’ distributions from their 529 will no longer reduce your grandchild’s financial aid eligibility. According to a magazine article, “Under the old FAFSA rules, students were required to report distributions from grandparent-owned 529 savings plans as untaxed student income. The new rules, effective for the 2023-2024 school year will no longer count distributions from grandparent-owned 529 college savings plans as untaxed student income, and they will not have a detrimental impact on aid eligibility.”
Here are some other Iowa program highlights:
The Iowa tax benefits* are also attractive:
*See your tax professional to ensure that these benefits apply in your situation.
If you want further information on how you can plan for college expenses through use of a 529 plan, call us at 515-225-6000 or visit the College Savings Iowa website.