what if i paid for a college course in 2018 for 2019 with my 529

If you have leftover money in your 529 college savings plan after you graduate, you can use that money to pay off all or part of your student loan debt. This change was introduced as part of the 2019 SECURE Act, which applies to all 529 plan distributions made after December 31, 2018.

Full Answer

What can you pay for college with a 529 plan?

Additionally, the SECURE Act of 2019 expands the definition of a tax-free or qualified distribution from a 529 savings plan to include repayment of up to $10,000 in qualified student loans, and expenses for certain apprenticeship programs. The SECURE Act makes this change retroactive to distributions made after December 31, 2018.

When is tuition due on my 529 plan?

Jul 29, 2020 · Who to Pay. Generally, 529 plans will let you decide how you want your funds distributed. Most 529 plans offer online self-service tools where owners can simply log in and select who they would like to pay. There are three main options for paying the distribution: To the account owner. To the beneficiary.

Can adults return to college with a 529 plan?

May 01, 2020 · Be sure to make a copy for yourself and include the following: The name of the school, as well as the date, and the amount that was refunded. An acknowledgement that you’re making a 529 recontribution following the IRS’s guidance ( Notice 2020-23 ). You can also write “529 recontribution of 2020 refund” on the check memo line.

Can 529 funds be used retroactively?

Do I need receipts for 529 expenses?

Can you use a 529 plan after college?

Can I still contribute to 2019 529 plan?

Can I buy a computer with 529 funds?

Is Buying a Car a qualified 529 expense?

What happens if you don't use all 529 money?

What is the penalty on an unused 529 plan?

How long can you keep money in a 529 plan?

What is the last date to contribute to a 2021 529?

Do I need to report 529 contributions on taxes?

Do you get a tax deduction for contributing to a 529 plan?

What college expenses can I use the money for?

Money withdrawn from the 529 plan account can be used for a wide range of qualified higher education expenses, such as room and board, tuition, boo...

Do I have to use the money for college expenses only?

Money from a 529 account must be used for qualified education expenses to avoid taxes and penalties. But in addition to college expenses, you can a...

How and when can I take distributions from the account?

When you have qualified expenses, you can take withdrawals federal income tax- and penalty-free. To avoid a tax bill, your qualified withdrawals mu...

Will investing in a 529 plan affect eligibility for financial aid?

529 assets may have a relatively small effect on federal financial aid eligibility because they are considered assets of the parent in the Expected...

How long does it take to get a 529 check?

It can take two or three days to deliver a check, but can sometimes take a whole week.

When is high school graduation 2020?

July 29, 2020. The cap and gown have been ordered, the caterer booked and the invitations sent. As you prepare to celebrate one of your child’s biggest achievements to date – high school graduation – you can’t help but think about what will come next. After years of saving money in a 529 plan, it will soon be time to put those funds to use ...

What is account hold?

An account hold is designed to protect the account owner and the assets in the account. However, legitimate account changes can still trigger these safety measures depending on the plan, so call ahead to make sure you don’t encounter any issues when it comes time to make your withdrawal.

How long does it take for a check to be delivered?

It can take two or three days to deliver a check, but can sometimes take a whole week. This can be an issue when schools won’t let students register for classes until their bill is paid, so many parents end up paying additional fees to have the payment check sent overnight through FedEx or UPS.

529 withdrawal rules and special coronavirus considerations

To start, let’s recap what qualified distributions are and how they normally work. When you take funds out of your 529 Plan, you won’t need to pay federal or state taxes on the distribution as long as you use the withdrawal for qualified education expenses.

What else should you know about 529 recontributions?

529 recontributions aren’t considered new contributions. In other words, they won’t be counted towards your plan’s contribution maximum.

How should you complete the 529 recontribution?

Talk to your 529 Plan administrator to see what they need to complete the recontribution. Some state plans have special forms to use. You shouldn’t need to provide any proof that your university closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

What should you expect to report for your 529 Plan next tax season?

Your 529 Plan administrator will send you Form 1099-Q around January of next year. This form will report your original distribution from the plan and break out how much of your distribution was your basis and earnings. You’ll use this information to figure out any taxable amount.

Help with 529 Plan taxes

529 withdrawal rules can get a bit complicated in a normal tax year. Throw in the fast-moving changes of these extraordinary times and it becomes even more daunting. If you need help, we’re here for you. Find out how you can work with one of our tax pros to get your questions answered.

What are qualified expenses for a 529 plan?

529 plan qualified expenses. For adult learners, qualified 529 plan expenses include tuition, fees, and required books, supplies and equipment. The classes must be provided by a college or university that is eligible for Title IV federal student aid. This includes community college courses and undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Which states offer 529 deductions?

Most states require residents to use their home state’s 529 plan to qualify for the income tax benefit, but Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana and Pennsylvania offer a state income tax benefit ...

Can a 529 account be the same person?

citizen or resident alien with a Social Security number or taxpayer identification number as the beneficiary, regardless of their age. The 529 plan account owner and the beneficiary can even be the same person.

How can adult students reduce their state income tax?

In some states, adult students may be able to reduce their state income taxes by funneling their tuition payments through a 529 plan. This can be like getting a discount on tuition.

Can you double dip on a 529?

However, the IRS does not allow double-dipping when it comes to federal tax benefits. Any expenses used to generate the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit cannot be included in qualified expenses to justify a tax-free 529 plan distribution. For example, students who receive the full $2,000 tax credit must subtract $10,000 from their total 529 plan ...

What is Title IV student aid?

The classes must be provided by a college or university that is eligible for Title IV federal student aid . This includes community college courses and undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Prospective students can use the Federal School Code Lookup tool to find out if a particular college is recognized as an eligible institution.

Can you deduct sports expenses for college?

Expenses for sports, games, hobbies or non-credit courses do not qualify for the education credits or tuition and fees deduction, except when the course or activity is part of the student’s degree program.

Do sports expenses qualify for education credits?

Expenses for sports, games, hobbies or non-credit courses do not qualify for the education credits or tuition and fees deduction, except when the course or activity is part of the student’s degree program. For the Lifetime Learning Credit only, these expenses qualify if the course helps the student acquire or improve job skills.

Can you claim education credit?

You can claim an education credit for qualified education expenses paid by cash, check, credit or debit card or paid with money from a loan. If you pay the expenses with money from a loan, you take the credit for the year you pay the expenses, not the year you get the loan or the year you repay the loan.

What is a qualified expense?

Qualified expenses are amounts paid for tuition, fees and other related expense for an eligible student that are required for enrollment or attendance at an eligible educational institution. You must pay the expenses for an academic period* that starts during the tax year or the first three months of the next tax year.

What is an academic period?

Academic periods can be semesters, trimesters, quarters or any other period of study such as a summer school session. Academic periods are determined by the school. For schools that use clock or credit hours and do not have academic terms, the payment period may be treated as an academic period.

What is qualified education?

Qualified education expenses are amounts paid for tuition, fees and other related expenses for an eligible student.

What is the penalty for a 529 withdrawal?

529 plan distributions used to pay for non-qualified expenses are subject to income tax and a 10% penalty on the earnings portion of the withdrawal. This includes 529 distributions used to pay for airfare and other travel costs, college application or testing fees, health insurance or room and board costs beyond the college’s cost of attendance ...

What is a 529 distribution?

This includes 529 distributions used to pay for airfare and other travel costs, college application or testing fees, health insurance or room and board costs beyond the college’s cost of attendance (COA) allowance.

What is a 529 beneficiary?

The 529 plan beneficiary. The college, K-12 school or apprenticeship program the beneficiary attends. A student loan provider. When the Form 1099-Q is issued to the 529 plan beneficiary, any taxable amount of the distribution will be reported on the beneficiary’s income tax return. This typically results in a lower tax obligation than if ...

What is the penalty for a non qualified 529 distribution?

The earnings portion of a non-qualified 529 plan distribution is subject to income tax and a 10% penalty.

What happens if a 529 is greater than the AQEE?

When the total 529 plan distribution is greater than the AQEE, the amount of the excess will be subject to income tax on the earnings portion of the withdrawal. However, the 10% penalty is waived when the non-qualified distribution occurs as a result of the tax credit adjustment, up to the amount of the qualified expenses that justified the tax credit.

What is a 1099 Q?

IRS Form 1099-Q is a statement issued by a 529 plan or Coverdell ESA administrator that lists the amount of distributions in a given tax year. The Form 1099-Q will be issued to the beneficiary if the 529 distribution was paid to: 1 The 529 plan beneficiary 2 The college, K-12 school or apprenticeship program the beneficiary attends 3 A student loan provider

Can you use 529 funds to pay for college?

While investors can use 529 funds to pay for a college's room and board fees, housing arrangements off campus also count. "Off-campus housing and rentals are qualified up to the cost of room and board on campus," Hogan says.

Can you use 529 funds to pay for off campus housing?

Off-campus housing. While investors can use 529 funds to pay for a college's room and board fees, housing arrangements off campus also count. "Off-campus housing and rentals are qualified up to the cost of room and board on campus," Hogan says. For instance, if university-owned housing is $800 per month, then the disbursement for an off-campus ...

What is a 529 withdrawal?

Withdrawals from 529 plans are called distributions, and they must be used toward qualified education expenses – otherwise they will incur federal income tax and an additional 10% penalty. Health insurance and child care, for example, don't qualify.

What can a 529 be used for?

If a student decides to become a chef, for example, funds from a 529 plan may be used to pay expenses related to attending a culinary institute, provided the institution participates in the Education Department's federal student aid program.

Can a 529 be used for culinary school?

If a student decides to become a chef, for example, funds from a 529 plan may be used to pay expenses related to attending a culinary institute, provided the institution participates in the Education Department's federal student aid program.

Can 529 be used for postsecondary education?

Prior to the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which took effect in 2018, 529 distributions could only be used for qualified expenses for postsecondary education.

Does Michigan State University require a laptop?

For instance, Michigan State University 's website reads, " All undergraduate students at Michigan State are required to have a laptop computer that can connect to the Internet.". Some computer software may count as a qualified expense.

How much can you use for a 529 plan?

That means that you cannot use more than $9,800 per year from your 529 plan to be “qualified”. Technology Items – You can use a 529 plan to cover technological needs such as computers, printers, laptops and even internet service. These items must be used by the plan beneficiary while enrolled in college.

Do you have to pay taxes on 529?

Owners of 529 plans are given these breaks when the money saved is specifically use for college expenses. In the event that you need to withdraw the money for a different reason, you’ll have to pay federal taxes on the account earnings and a 10% penalty.

What are qualified expenses for a 529 plan?

Qualified Expenses For A 529 Plan. A 529 plan only covers expenses that are related to post-secondary education (see below for using a 529 plan for elementary education ). However, there are rules. Most qualified expenses cannot exceed the cost estimates made by the school that the 529 beneficiary will be attending.

What is a 529 plan?

A 529 plan only covers expenses that are related to post-secondary education (see below for using a 529 plan for elementary education ). However, there are rules. Most qualified expenses cannot exceed the cost estimates made by the school that the 529 beneficiary will be attending.

Does a 529 plan cover post secondary education?

A 529 plan only covers expenses that are related to post-secondary education (see below for using a 529 plan for elementary education ). However, there are rules. Most qualified expenses cannot exceed the cost estimates made by the school that the 529 beneficiary will be attending. Typically the school’s financial aid office will mail this to students or post it on their website. For example, you can find the estimated cost of attendance for UCLA here.

What is tuition in college?

Tuition – Tuition is a qualified expense for both full and part time students at accredited institutions. To be accredited simply means the college or university has passed standards set by a reviewing committee. While the majority of colleges are accredited be sure to ask the financial aid office ahead of time.

Is room and board a qualified expense?

While the majority of colleges are accredited be sure to ask the financial aid office ahead of time. Room and Board – If the student is attending college half-time or more and the room and board are paid directly to the college or university this is a qualified expense.

Can you use 529 for off campus housing?

Whether you live on campus or off, you can use your 529 plan spending for your room and board expenses. The caveat here is that your off-campus housing costs can’t be higher than you’d pay to live on campus if you want to use 529 funds.

Can you withdraw money from a 529?

Even if you’re not keen on studying the specific ins and outs of 529 withdrawals, there are a few things you need to know: Understanding what happens when you withdraw from your 529 helps you properly plan for college and your child’s future. You can always withdraw the money you originally invested, penalty-free.

Can you use 529 for room and board?

Room and Board. Whether you live on campus or off, you can use your 529 plan spending for your room and board expenses. The caveat here is that your off-campus housing costs can’t be higher than you’d pay to live on campus if you want to use 529 funds.

Is transportation covered by 529?

While transportation is usually not covered, if you have special needs, your transportation needs may be covered expenses.

Can you withdraw money from a 529 plan without penalty?

Possible 529 Withdrawal Penalties. The most important thing to know about penalties and your 529 plan is that your principal can always be withdrawn without penalty. The money that grows over time is subject to penalties, though.

How to start the big day after years of savings?

The big day arrives after years of savings—so now what? You’ll start by deciding how much you need to withdraw for your qualified expenses. You should have an idea of how much will be needed after financial aid and any scholarships have been awarded.

Is non qualified withdrawal penalized?

Since most non-qualified withdrawals are penalized, you should only do so after carefully examining all your options. In many cases, a better strategy is available that will allow you to keep more of the funds you’ve worked so hard to accumulate. Before you commit to a non-qualified withdrawal, consider the following.