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Edvest 529 provides a unique set of benefits that can mean more flexibility and growth potential, including:

• Tax-free qualified withdrawals
• Wisconsin state tax deduction
• Low fees and expenses
• Easy-to-choose investment portfolios
• Favorable financial aid treatment
• Use for a wide range of education expenses and programs—in Wisconsin and around the world

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No. Your Edvest 529 funds can be used at any accredited university in the country—and even some abroad. This includes public and private colleges and universities, apprenticeships, community colleges, graduate schools and professional schools. Up to $10,000 annually can be used toward K-12 tuition (per student). In addition, your 529 can be used for student loan repayment up a $10,000 lifetime limit per individual.¹ Review a list of qualifying expenses and the state tax treatment of withdrawals for these expenses in the Plan Description.

Footnotes

1. ¹Withdrawals for tuition expenses at a public, private or religious elementary, middle, or high school, registered apprenticeship programs, and student loans can be withdrawn free from federal and Wisconsin income tax. If you are not a Wisconsin taxpayer, these withdrawals may include recapture of tax deduction, state income tax as well as penalties. You should talk to a qualified professional about how tax provisions affect your circumstances. Apprenticeship programs must be registered and certified with the Secretary of Labor under the National Apprenticeship Act.↩

Edvest 529 account owners can benefit from three types of tax advantages:

• Wisconsin State Income Tax Deduction - Wisconsin taxpayers are eligible for a state income tax deduction for contributions to the Edvest 529 College Savings Plan.
• Tax-deferred growth - With an Edvest 529 account, if your money grows over time through investment earnings, unlike a regular investment account, you will not be taxed on the growth (earning portions) while the funds are in the account.
• Tax-free withdrawals for qualified educational expenses - Unlike taxable investment accounts, if you use your funds to pay for qualified higher education expenses, then you do not have to pay state or federal taxes on the earnings at all.

If you don’t use your funds on qualified expenses – only the earnings portion withdrawn is subject to state and federal income tax, as well as a 10% federal tax penalty. The contribution portion of your account will never be taxed or penalized since it was made with after-tax dollars.

Additionally, there are instances in which the 10% tax penalty does not apply, such as the death or disability of the beneficiary and the receipt of a qualified scholarship by the beneficiary.

So remember - the unique tax advantages of saving with Edvest 529 include the Wisconsin state income tax deduction, tax-deferred growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified educational expenses.

Wisconsin taxpayers are eligible for a state income tax deduction for contributions to the Edvest 529 College Savings Plan. The maximum deduction on contributions made to an Edvest 529 plan for the 2024 tax year is:

• $5,000 per Beneficiary for single filers or married couples filing a joint return; or
• $2,500 per Beneficiary for married couples filing separate.

The Wisconsin state income tax deduction for contributions made to a Wisconsin 529 plan is available to any Wisconsin taxpayer, not just the 529 plan account owner, making gift contributions a benefit for family members or friends.

Example 1: Multiple Contributors

The Edvest Account Owner (Parent) contributes $5,000 to their child’s (Megan’s) account, a Grandparent also contributes $5,000 to Megan’s account, and a family friend also contributes $5,000 to Megan’s account during the 2024 tax year – the parent, grandparent, and family-friend are eligible to claim the $5,000 Wisconsin state tax deduction on their 2024 Wisconsin state incomes taxes (if their filing status is married filing joint or single).

Example 2: Multiple Beneficiaries

Mr. & Mrs. Lee have Edvest 529 accounts for their 3 children and contribute $5,000 to each child’s account ($15,000 total). They also make a $5,000 gift contribution to their nephew’s account. When filing their Wisconsin state income taxes, as married filing jointly, are eligible to claim a deduction of $20,000 from their income.

A Wisconsin taxpayer is permitted a deduction from Wisconsin adjusted gross income for a contribution to an account less any Qualified Withdrawals made during the tax year. Rollovers of the principal amount into an Edvest 529 account are eligible for the subtraction from state taxable income, subject to applicable yearly limitations. Amounts in excess of the current tax year’s deduction limit may be carried forward to future years and claimed as a subtraction subject to the yearly limitations. Wisconsin taxpayers should be aware that the Wisconsin 529 College Savings Program requires the use of a “first in, first out” method of accounting, meaning any withdrawals taken from a 529 account within 365 days of being contributed, or carried forward, must be added back to the filer’s taxable income for state tax purposes.