GIVE TO FAMILY
FUND A 529 COLLEGE SAVINGS ACCOUNT Over the course of a few years, the cost of higher education typically tops six figures. Funding a 529 college-savings account is a smart strategy to set aside money for your child’s future college expenses. Your contributions grow tax-free, and withdrawals are not taxed if you use them for qualified college expenses, including tuition, room and board, books, and computers. In most states, you can also take out up to $10,000 a year tax-free to pay school tuition for kindergarten through 12th grade. If you withdraw from a 529 for nonqualified expenses, you’ll owe income tax and a 10% penalty on investment earnings (but not contributions).
Nearly all states sponsor at least one 529 plan. If your state offers a tax deduction or credit to residents who invest in its plan, using your state’s 529 may be the best bet. If your state has no tax break or provides a break no matter which state’s plan you pick, explore your options from other states, too. You may find a plan with lower fees or more desirable investment choices. Usually, direct-sold plans come with lower fees than those from brokers. At www.savingforcollege.com, you can find information about your state’s plans, compare plans side by side and see listings of the site’s top-rated 529s from around the country.
HELP PAY STUDENT LOANS
Denne historien er fra November 2020-utgaven av Kiplinger's Personal Finance.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 2020-utgaven av Kiplinger's Personal Finance.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
FREE HELP FOR COLLEGEBOUND STUDENTS
This program’s mentors assist applicants as they fill out the FAFSA, write essays and more.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SPOUSAL IRAS
You typically need earned income to contribute to an individual retirement account, but a spousal IRA provides an important exception to this rule.
SELLING SHARES? HERE'S HOW TO MINIMIZE TAXES ON YOUR GAINS
ET'S say you've been regularly buying shares in a booming tech company over the past few years, but now you want to start taking some of those profits, perhaps to rebalance your portfolio.
Strategies for Novice Investors
AS part of a lifes kills program for young, single mothers, I was asked to teach a class on how to get on top of your finances.
ANSWERS TO YOUR 529 PLAN QUESTIONS
Thanks to recent policy changes, families have more options for what to do with money sitting in these tax-advantaged accounts.
Rate-Cut Winners and Losers
NOW that the Federal Reserve has cracked the interest rate ice, the next development will be to separate winners from losers.
SHOULD YOU BUY THESE RED-HOT FUNDS?
Covered-call ETFs are popular but come with plenty of caveats.
DIVIDEND STOCKS ARE READY TO REBOUND
Our favorite dividend payers are poised to benefit as falling interest rates lure investors back.
IS A 55+ COMMUNITY RIGHT FOR YOU?
These age-restricted developments appeal to older adults seeking abundant amenities and an active lifestyle.
AT LONG LAST, RATES ARE DROPPING
Consider these portfolio moves now that the Federal Reserve has cut its benchmark interest rate.