529s Insights
Coverdells vs. 529 Plans
Both Coverdell and 529 Plans can be great vehicles for college savings, however,...
Kansas offers three 529 college savings plans: Learning Quest, a direct plan; Learning Quest advisor, an advisor-sold tuition plan; and Schwab 529 College Savings Plan, a direct plan.
Learning Quest is a traditional 529 plan that allows you to invest money today and reap tax benefits when you withdraw it to pay for qualified education expenses.
Type: Direct – this Kansas 529 plan can be purchased directly.
Fund Family: American Century Investment Services, Inc. and The Vanguard Group
Minimums: Minimums have been reduced to $25.
Maximum Contributions: Currently, you can contribute to your Kansas 529 plan until your balance reaches $325,000. Of course, your total amount in the plan can be higher as your investments group. 529 plans typically increase the contribution limit over time, so you may be able to contribute more.
Tax Benefits: Good news for Kansas residents — by investing in your state’s 529 plan, the earnings portion of your withdrawals use to pay for qualified education expenses is tax free from Kansas state tax. You also get a deduction of up to $3,000 ($6,000 if married filing jointly) for contributions each year per beneficiary. You also get federal income tax benefits as you do not pay income tax on your earnings. Out-of-state participants still get the federal tax benefits.
Other Benefits: For Kansas residents, eligible accounts may receive a matching grant if $100-$600 is contributed within a year.
Residency: Learning Quest is open to all United States residents, not just those in Kansas.
You can learn more about the this 529 plan at the official web site.
Learning Quest Advisor is a traditional 529 plan that allows you to invest money today and reap tax benefits when you withdraw it to pay for qualified education expenses.
Type: Advisor – Please contact a financial advisor in your state for assistance.
Fund Family: Various
Maximum Contributions: Currently, you can contribute to your Kansas 529 plan until your balance reaches $325,000. Of course, your total amount in the plan can be higher as your investments group. 529 plans typically increase the contribution limit over time, so you may be able to contribute more.
Tax Benefits: Good news for Kansas residents — by investing in your state’s 529 plan, the earnings portion of your withdrawals use to pay for qualified education expenses is tax free from Kansas state tax. You also get a deduction of up to $3,000 ($6,000 if married filing jointly) for contributions each year per beneficiary. You also get federal income tax benefits as you do not pay income tax on your earnings. Out-of-state participants still get the federal tax benefits.
Other Benefits: For Kansas residents, eligible accounts may receive a matching grant if $100-$600 is contributed within a year.
Residency: Learning Quest Advisor is open to all United States residents, not just those in Kansas.
You can learn more about the this 529 plan at the official web site.
Schwab 529 College Savings Plan is a traditional 529 plan that allows you to invest money today and reap tax benefits when you withdraw it to pay for qualified education expenses.
Type: Direct – this Kansas 529 plan can be purchased directly
Fund Family: Various
Minimums: The minimum is only $25.
Maximum Contributions: Currently, you can contribute to your Kansas 529 plan until your balance reaches $325,000. Of course, your total amount in the plan can be higher as your investments group. 529 plans typically increase the contribution limit over time, so you may be able to contribute more.
Tax Benefits: Good news for Kansas residents — by investing in your state’s 529 plan, you can deduct up to $3,000 on your state income taxes for single filer and $6,000 for married filers. You also get federal income tax benefits as you do not pay income tax on your earnings. Out-of-state participants still get the federal tax benefits.
Residency: Schwab 529 College Savings Plan is open to all United States residents, not just those in Kansas
You can learn more about the this 529 plan at the official web site.
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529s Insights
Both Coverdell and 529 Plans can be great vehicles for college savings, however,...
529s Insights
There are several quirks involving lifetime caps and maximum annual deposits. Read ahead...