Not Sure About A 529 College Savings Plan

Mar 6
07:35

2009

Paul Abbey

Paul Abbey

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Parents in the United States are encouraged to save for their child's future higher education expenses through section 529 plans, a tax-advantage investment vehicle.

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If you have college bound kids,Not Sure About A 529 College Savings Plan Articles you should be informed of something called the 569 plan, one of the best ways to prepare for your children’s educational future. This savings plan option available to any college or university in the country.

A lot of parents aren’t sure if the 529 college savings plan is the best option but there are calculators available to help you with that. You can compare your estimated income in a regular taxable account with what you might earn under a 529 plan. By taking into account how much time you havebefore you start college you can to use the 529 college savings plan.

Weigh your options

Before you start using a savings plan estimator, there are some things you probably should think about. First, most calculators Will only function with college savings plans. So think about a tuition plan that is prepaid if it is known to you that the beneficiary from the plan will be attending a school supporing the 529. 529 plans secure today's tuition rates for the future and withdrawing from your prepaid plans are tax-free.

Withdrawls that are free of tax for those who qualify the colleges costs from a 529 college savings plan are seen as gifts for federal tax purposes. This applies with annual contributions less than 12,000 dollars for individuals, but up to 24 k for married couples making joint contributions. You can also make a lump payment equivalent to five years worth of contributions which total 60,000 dollars for individuals or 120,000 dollars for married couples.

You should remember you need to set up a new plan for everyone you get it for but remember the limits would apply to the accounts individually.

Investement gains related to your 529 college savings plan is open to the lower capital gains rate, if held for over a year. Also applying for qualified dividends. But short-term gains along with interest are taxed at your regular tax rate.

How the tax savings calculator works

By default, a tax savings calculator will ask for the following information:  the number of years remaining before the child goes to college the estimated rate applying to a college fund if for some reason invested in a taxable account instead of a 529 No matter to if you make a full payment or smaller payments and the number of years you plan to contribute and the expected return.

Results will give the estimated value at college age, estimated after-tax value at college age as well as the amount you’ll have and what is gained from investing in a 529 college savings plan.

in the end estimates are just what they are - estimates so you’ll have no idea guess the amount until you start the investment process. But reading and preparing yourself before picking a plan will help you determine better what you should get.