Education Savings Account Tutorial
Conclusion
The Education Savings Account (ESA) is an excellent means of savings for education expenses. Let's recap:
- Contributions to an ESA accumulate earnings on a tax-deferred basis, and distributions used for qualified education expenses incurred at elementary, secondary and post-secondary educational institutions are tax and penalty free.
- The gains in an ESA are taxed at the account holder's rate rather than that of the contributor, which is typically higher.
- Contributors are not required to make deposits to the account every year.
- To be eligible to contribute to an ESA, the contributor's modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) as figured on his or her income tax return must not be more than $110,000 for single filers and $220,000 for married individuals filing joint returns.