Invest with CollegeCounts
For tomorrow . . . and today
Tomorrow’s opportunities come from saving today. That’s why you’re setting money aside for higher education in the years to come. And with an investment in CollegeCounts, you can enjoy several benefits today: tax advantages, flexibility, low plan costs, and investment options from quality fund families.
The CollegeCounts 529 Fund offers attractive tax advantages including tax deferral on any growth in the account and tax-free withdrawals for qualified college expenses.1
In addition, Alabama taxpayers are eligible for a state income tax deduction up to:2
- $5,000 single filers
- $10,000 married, filing jointly when both spouses contribute
Over time, these tax advantages, along with your ongoing contributions, can help provide additional college savings. For additional information visit our Tax Center.
1Withdrawals used to pay for qualified higher education expenses are free from federal and Alabama state income tax. Qualified higher education expenses include tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for enrollment or attendance; certain room and board expenses incurred by students who are enrolled at least half-time; the purchase of computer or peripheral equipment, computer software, or internet access and related services, if used primarily by the beneficiary during any of the years the beneficiary is enrolled at an eligible educational institution; certain expenses for special needs services needed by a special needs beneficiary; apprenticeship program expenses; payment of principal or interest on any qualified education loan of the Beneficiary or a sibling of the Beneficiary (up to an aggregate lifetime limit of $10,000 per individual); and up to $10,000 per year in K-12 Tuition Expenses. The earnings portion of a non-qualified withdrawal is subject to federal income tax and 10% federal penalty tax. In addition, Alabama provides in the event of a non-qualified withdrawal an amount that must be added back to the income of the contributing taxpayer. The amount to be added back will be the amount of the nonqualified withdrawal plus 10% of the amount withdrawn.
2Individuals who file an Alabama state income tax return are eligible to deduct for Alabama state income tax purposes up to $5,000 per tax year ($10,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly if both actually contribute) for total combined contributions to the Plan and other State of Alabama 529 programs. The contributions made to such qualifying plans are deductible on the tax return of the contributing taxpayer for the tax year in which the contributions are made. In the event of a Nonqualified Withdrawal from the Plan, for Alabama state income tax purposes, an amount must be added back to the income of the contributing taxpayer in an amount of the Nonqualified Withdrawal plus ten (10%) percent of such amount withdrawn. Such amount will be added back to the income of the contributing taxpayer in the tax year that the Nonqualified Withdrawal was distributed. Please consult with your tax professional.
CollegeCounts is proud to present a wide variety of investment options. Investors select from three age-based options, six target portfolios, or 26 individual fund portfolios. These investment options are from a number of well-respected mutual fund families including Vanguard, T. Rowe Price, PIMCO, and Fidelity.
All portfolios benefit from the investment oversight of Wilshire, a leading global investment consulting firm that provides CollegeCounts with portfolio design, due diligence, and ongoing monitoring services. Wilshire originated the now-named Dow Jones Wilshire 5000SM Composite Index and other market indexes and has been helping individuals achieve their investment goals for more than 30 years.
The CollegeCounts 529 Fund makes it easy for friends and family to help give the gift of a college education. Parents, grandparents, and others can make contributions on behalf of the beneficiary to celebrate birthdays and special occasions.