4 Tax-Efficient Strategies to Fund Education Expenses
In 2022, the average tuition at a ranked private university is just over $38,185. Moreover, out-of-state public university tuition is nearly $23,000, according to U.S. News & World Report. As the cost of a college education continues to rise, many people are looking for ways to defray these expenses. At the same time, those who have accumulated significant savings may be seeking tax-efficient ways to transfer their wealth. If you have grandchildren, funding their education expenses can be a great way to achieve both objectives.
Taxes on Gifts
Unfortunately, gifting large sums of money to family members often comes at a cost. Currently, you can gift up to $16,000 annually ($32,000 per couple) per beneficiary without triggering the federal gift tax. The IRS also imposes a generation-skipping transfer tax (GST tax). This tax prevents people from deliberately skipping the next generation in their estate plan in favor of younger generations.
Indeed, these taxes can be a headwind for assisting younger family members financially. Fortunately, there are strategies you can use to transfer wealth without incurring a hefty tax bill--especially if your grandchildren plan to go to college.
Consider these four tax-efficient strategies to fund education expenses:
Strategy #1: Fund Education Expenses Directly
One of the simplest ways to fund your family’s education expenses is to pay the educational institution directly. Not only will you avoid gift and GST taxes, but the amount also won’t count towards your annual exclusion or lifetime exemption.
Notably, this strategy doesn't limit you to funding college-related expenses. You can pay for any level of education for your family members tax-free, so long as you write the check directly to the school.
Strategy #2: “Superfund” a 529 Plan
A 529 plan is an investment account that offers certain tax advantages if the funds go towards qualifying education expenses. Currently, you can contribute up to the annual exclusion amount each year without incurring the gift tax.
In addition, many people don’t realize that you can contribute up to five years of gifts at once, per beneficiary. Meaning, as a grandparent you can contribute up to $80,000 in 2022 ($160,000 per couple) to a 529 plan at one time. That money can then grow tax-free until your grandchildren are ready to withdraw it.
It's important to note that the tax treatment of 529 plans varies by state. To avoid unintended tax consequences, be sure to speak with your financial advisor before using this strategy.
Strategy #3: Make Annual Tax-Free Gifts
As noted above, the annual exclusion is $16,000 per beneficiary ($32,000 for couples) in 2022. In other words, gifts that exceed the annual exclusion amount are subject to taxes. Fortunately, there are several tax-efficient strategies to fund education expenses for your younger family members without triggering the gift tax.
For example, if can't “superfund” a 529 plan, you can make annual contributions up to the annual limit tax-free. Alternatively, you can fund a Uniform Transfer to Minors Act (UTMA) account, an IRC Section 2503(c) Trust, or a Crummey Trust. These accounts have similar benefits to a 529 plan but allow you to maintain more control over your gifted assets.
Strategy #4: Lend Your Children or Grandchildren Money
You may want to support younger family members financially without gifting them money outright. Instead, you can lend them money to pay for their education expenses. While you must charge a minimum interest rate, this strategy allows you to set more flexible terms than your children or grandchildren would likely receive elsewhere.
Each month, the IRS releases Applicable Federal Rates, which represent minimum interest rates for family loans to avoid tax complications. These interest rates vary depending on the term of the loan. However, they're typically more favorable than federal or private student loan rates.
Funding the Next Generation’s Education Expenses
If you’ve been fortunate enough to accumulate significant wealth during your lifetime, you may be thinking about ways to pay it forward to the next generation. Since the IRS makes it difficult to transfer wealth completely tax-free, careful tax and financial planning can be beneficial.
Funding education expenses for younger family members can be a tax-efficient wealth transfer strategy. Doing so also helps set the next generation up for similar success. If you’d like to speak with a financial advisor about incorporating some of these strategies into your estate plan, please give us a call. We’d be happy to help.
