Withdrawing 529 Funds Without Penalty

 

Withdrawing 529 Funds Without Penalty

 
 

- min read

Layout canvas

Setting up and contributing to your 529 plan is easy, but you may have questions about how to withdraw funds from your 529 plan without penalty. With a 529 education savings account, you may withdraw for education expenses at any time and in whatever amount you decide. However, withdrawals must be for “qualified education expenses” to withdraw without penalty. These are expenses associated with the enrollment and attendance at a private or public college, university, or other qualified post-secondary education institution. Keep reading to learn more about qualified expenses and how you can make 529 withdrawals tax and penalty free.

Withdraw for Qualified Expenses Without Penalty

Funds for qualified expenses can be withdrawn from your 529 account without penalty. These include tuition and fees, room and board, textbooks and lab fees, special needs equipment, some study abroad programs, and technology required for coursework. Withdrawals for non-qualified expenses– including transportation, cell phones, and fees for sports or clubs – are subject to tax, plus a 10% penalty on the earnings, so make sure you are using 529 funds correctly. You can also withdraw up to $10,000 per year to pay for K-12 for tuition expenses, without penalty*.

Rules for Withdrawing 529 Funds Without Penalty

Before withdrawing funds, add up all your expenses and rule out those non-qualified education expenses. Remember to review, if applicable, any federal tax credits. You want to avoid "double-dipping" your tax breaks.

When you are ready to make a withdrawal, contact your 529 plan. Most 529 plans have an online portal or a withdrawal form. Be aware of deadlines for the most pressing items, such as tuition, as there may be temporary withdrawal restrictions. Check with your child's institution to see if you can make automatic payments from the 529 account directly to the eligible institution. The Education Plan – New Mexico's 529 College Savings Plan option – can send a check to the institution, the account beneficiary, or the account owner. It's your decision.

How to Withdraw from Your 529 Plan Without Penalty

Timing and documentation are also important when it comes to withdrawing funds penalty free! Make sure you withdraw and spend the money withdrawn in the same calendar year, not the academic year. Otherwise, you run the risk of mismatched reporting with the IRS, and your withdrawals, even for qualified education expenses, may be subject to tax and penalties.

The IRS can ask for proof of your qualified withdrawals. This means keeping detailed records, including account statements with tuition and room and board. Receipts for computer equipment, accessories, software, and internet should be saved, along with syllabi documenting course requirements (e.g., lab fees). We recommend keeping canceled checks and any records showing withdrawals for all qualified education expenses to document your spending for at least three years, if not longer when required.

● Some of this may seem burdensome or confusing, particularly given the documentation required.

If you are concerned about withdrawing from your 529 account penalty free, we're here to help. You can reach out to our team with any questions about how to make a withdrawal here. https://theeducationplan.com/contact

 

Recent Articles

A College Savings
Award Program

The deadline to apply for the Saving for Success Award is December 21, 2022.

APPLY NOW

Ready to get started?
We can help!

1-877-337-5268

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

FOLLOW US
ON SOCIAL MEDIA

The Education Plan Logo White

The Education Plan® and The Education Plan® Logo are registered trademarks of The Education Trust Board of New Mexico used under license.

Privacy & Cookie Policy

Phone: 1-877-337-5268
We're available Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. MT

OPEN AN ACCOUNT LOGIN
VIEW LEGAL DISCLOSURE

For more information about The Education Plan, call 1.877.337.5268 or view the Plan Description and Participation Agreement, which includes investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information; read and consider it carefully before investing.

Please Note: Before you invest, consider whether your or the beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in that state’s qualified tuition program. You also should consult a financial, tax, or other advisor to learn more about how state-based benefits (or any limitations) would apply to your specific circumstances. You also may wish to contact directly your home state’s 529 plan(s), or any other 529 plan, to learn more about those plan’s features, benefits and limitations. Keep in mind that state-based benefits should be one of many appropriately weighted factors to be considered when making an investment decision.

The Education Plan is administered by The Education Trust Board of New Mexico. Ascensus College Savings Recordkeeping Services, LLC, the Program Manager, and its affiliates, have overall responsibility for the day-today operations, including investment advisory, recordkeeping and administrative services. The Education Plan’s portfolios invest in: (i) mutual funds; (ii) exchange traded funds; and/or (iii) a funding agreement issued by New York Life. Investments in The Education Plan are not insured by the FDIC. Units of the portfolios are municipal securities and the value of units will vary with market conditions.

Investment returns will vary depending upon the performance of the portfolios you choose. You could lose all or a portion of your money by investing in The Education Plan depending on market conditions. Account owners assume all investment risks as well as responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences.

Ugift is a registered service mark of Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, LLC.

The Education Plan® and The Education Plan® Logo are registered trademarks of The Education Trust Board of New Mexico used under license.

All other marks are the exclusive property of their respective owners.

Not FDIC-Insured. No Bank, State or Federal Guarantee. May Lose Value.