11/18/2024
Use Savings Bonds to Pay for College and Get a Tax Advantage – Did You Know?
Ordinarily, interest earned on U.S. savings bonds is taxable income. However, if you pay higher education costs, then you may qualify to cash in federal series EE or I bonds tax-free. The IRS Education Savings Bond program allows eligible people to exclude some or all of their U.S. bond interest from their gross income, provided that they use the bonds to pay tuition and certain required fees at a qualifying higher education institution.
To be eligible for this program, you must pay the education expenses for yourself, your spouse or a dependent. The program is subject to income limits, which the IRS adjusts annually for inflation. Other eligibility restrictions may apply, such as limitations on the expenses you may pay using the bonds if the student also receives tax-free scholarship funds. A tax professional can help you determine whether you qualify for the Education Savings Bond program, and if so, how much of the interest on your bonds could be exempt from tax.