The Money Mustache Community
Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Mini Money Mustaches => Topic started by: easternblockbabe on January 16, 2017, 12:22:06 PM
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I just found out this and would like to share it:
Starting in 2017, residents of Massachusetts can deduct contributions to an in-state 529 college savings plan, up to $1,000 per individual or $2,000 per married couple filing jointly. This is good news for those of us filing taxes in MA!
http://www.savingforcollege.com/articles/massachusetts-to-offer-529-state-tax-deduction-973
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Wish CA would do this. I'd start a 529 ... right now it doesn't seem useful.
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I'm in MA and thinking about taking advantage of this while we can. However, we never planned to save for our kid's college costs, so I'm a but nervous about it. Especially if none end up going to college, but odd are at least one will.
Does anyone have any experience with the MA 529 plans?
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No experience other than opening an account last night because I'd learned about it. The cap is $2,000 for married couples filing jointly ($1000 otherwise), so even if you contribute for the next 18 years and your kid doesn't go to college, that's only $36,000 + growth. The 10% withdrawal penalty is on the growth (http://www.savingforcollege.com/intro_to_529s/what-is-the-penalty-on-an-unused-529-plan.php) so what, you've earned another $36K if things are going gangbusters in the stock market for those 18 years? $3600 possibly penalty, 5.1%x$2000x18 = $1836 definite reward*.
It's a risk, but I'm pretty confident my daughter will go to college/voc/trade school. It's a small enough risk that I'm going for it.
* Aw crud, this article (http://www.savingforcollege.com/articles/massachusetts-to-offer-529-state-tax-deduction-973) says it's scheduled to end after 5 years. That brings down my Definite Reward number. Your Mileage May Vary.
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Anyone know if there are any income limits or phase outs to this deduction? I've been contributing to the MA 529 for years but stopped recently. Now that there is a tax deduction I'm thinking I should start again...my oldest heads to college in 3 years!