Tax Break for College Tuition Payments

By Alan L. Olsen, CPA, MBA (tax)
Managing Partner
Greenstein Rogoff Olsen & Co., LLP

If you are writing a college tuition check, there may be a hidden tax break that will allow you to deduct a part of your college tuition payment. In order to do this, you must utilize a 'Section 529' College Savings Plan in one of the 26 states that provide a tax deduction or credit when you deposit the money.

People currently using Section 529 plans are well aware of these popular tax breaks. However, there are still plenty of others that currently pay state tuition but don't participate in the Section 529 plan. By first depositing the funds into a Section 529 plan and then withdrawing for the state tuition payment, you may qualify for deducting your state tuition. The deduction is allowed (in most cases) without regard to your income status.

A 'Section 529' College Savings Plan is best known for its Federal Benefits. The earnings on the plan are tax free if you use them for higher education expenses. The current Federal law is set to expire in 2010 unless an extension is passed. Most states conform to the Federal law in allowing tax free earnings on the Section 529 plan. However, they also award a state tax break for residents' contributions to the state's own 529 plan. Kansas and Maine, starting next year, will give deductions for deposits into any state's plan.

Since the state deduction to the plan is immediate, you can deposit the funds into the '529' account then withdraw from the account within a short period. The worth of the deductions depends on your state's tax rate and whether your annual tax break is limited for making a 529 deposit.

To take advantage of the 529 Savings Plan, visit savingforcollege.com, click on "529 Plans", then click on "529 Plan Details." Click on the state in which you reside for details on its savings plan. Then browse through the state's homepage to read up on how to open an account and to withdraw money later.

Many state officials do not like their plans to be used as tax breaks, but few actually try to prevent it. So if you plan on keeping money there for only a short time, you should choose the most conservative investment option. New Mexico is one of the states where the account must be open for a year before money can be withdrawn from it. The state of Michigan has limits as well.

States prefer that residents start saving early, to benefit from compounding and in order to get tax breaks for 20 to 25 years instead of just four. It is a good idea to try out this plan with your tuition money though, as four years of deductions is better than none.

Maximum Annual Deductions

Here are the maximum annual deductions or credits available. If your state isn't here, it either doesn't have income taxes or doesn't offer a tax break for "529" deposits.