Exciting 529 Changes

The President signed HR 2029 on December 18th which included the following positive 529 changes:

• Qualified Expenses Expanded – Effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2014, the definition of qualified higher education expenses is expanded to include: expenses for the purchase of any computer and any related peripheral equipment, computer software, or Internet access and related services, if such equipment, software, or services are to be used primarily by the beneficiary during any of the years the beneficiary is enrolled at an eligible educational institution.
• Special Rule for Contributions of Refunded Amounts – Refunds of any qualified higher education expenses from an eligible educational institution are excludible from gross income if recontributed within 60 days (after the date of such refund) back into the 529 account. This provision is effective with respect to refunds of qualified higher education expenses after December 31, 2014, but only to the extent that such refunds are re-contributed to a qualified tuition program within 60 days of the date of the refund, or within 60 days of December 18, 2015, whichever is later.

For more details please review the Program Disclosure Statement Supplement.