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AFO2022-07-20T12:52:43+00:00

What is the real dollar value of a 529 Plan?

There are many common misconceptions about 529s, but the ones I hear most often is with regards to their tax benefits. While it is true that most states offer an income tax deduction, you should know that deduction only applies to your state income tax, not Federal. Where 529s do help you with regards to Federal taxes is that the capital gains are not taxed when the funds are used for qualified expenses. 

Let’s do simple example for my home state of Virginia: 

  • Joe and Stacey are married and have a daughter, Julia, who is 5. They plan to contribute $3k per year every year until she heads off to college at age 18. They have taxable income of $150k per year. 
  • Virginia’s top marginal bracket is 5.75%, and that bracket begins at only $17,001 of income. 

The value of the state income tax deduction for contributing $3k this year is $172.50 ($3k x 5.75%). Doesn’t seem like a lot, right? Over 13yrs (age 5 to 18) that’s $2,242. Not nothing, but not an eye-popping figure, either. 

Now let’s assess the capital gain tax savings:

  • In the 13 years we contribute, we’ll have put in $39k total into the plan. If we assume a 6% rate of return over that investment period, that gives us a balance of $56,646 
  • The capital gain will be $17,646 ($56,646 – 39,000). At $150k taxable income, your Federal capital gains rate is 15% and your state rate remains the same at 5.75%
  • The resulting tax bill dodged on capital gains is $3,662 ($17,646 x 20.75%)

So all told, Joe and Stacey get an actual dollar benefit of $5,904. 

Tax rates, deductions on contributions, and plan options vary greatly state by state. There are also alternative strategies and vehicles for college savings that you can consider. Be sure to run the numbers yourself to determine if 529s make sense for you.

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Arrowroot Family Office LLC is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration with the SEC does not constitute an endorsement by the SEC, nor does it imply that AFO has attained a certain level of skill or ability. Content should not be construed as legal or tax advice, AFO is not engaged in the practice of law or accounting.


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  • 4553 Glencoe Ave, Suite 200, Marina del Rey, CA 90292
    (833) 224-2249
  • 2 Boars Head Ln, Suite 110, Charlottesville, VA 22903
    (626) 712-2090
  • 1107 Investment Blvd, Suite 160 El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
    (916) 384-0050
  • 725 Barclay Circle, Suite 215, Rochester Hills, MI 48307
    (248) 453-5252
  • 950 Broadway, Suite M100, Tacoma WA 98402
    (253) 858-2427
  • Investment Management
  • 529 Plan
  • IRA
  • 403(b)
  • 401(k)
  • Corporate retirement
  • Retirement Planning
  • Tax Planning
  • Estate Planning
  • Financial Planning
  • M&A
  • Arrowroot Capital
  • Join Arrowroot
  • CPA Partnership
  • Press Releases
  • Careers
  • Events
  • Blogs
  • Clients Login

Newsletter

Arrowroot Family Office LLC is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration with the SEC does not constitute an endorsement by the SEC, nor does it imply that AFO has attained a certain level of skill or ability. Content should not be construed as legal or tax advice, AFO is not engaged in the practice of law or accounting.


AFO Form ADV (Part 2A & Part 2B)

AFO – ADV Part 3 Form CRS

    Terms & Condition | Privacy Policy | Web Accessibility

Copyright © 2025 Arrowroot Family Office – All rights reserved.

  • 4553 Glencoe Ave, Suite 200, Marina del Rey, CA 90292
    (833) 224-2249
  • 2 Boars Head Ln, Suite 110, Charlottesville, VA 22903
    (626) 712-2090
  • 1107 Investment Blvd, Suite 160 El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
    (916) 384-0050
  • 725 Barclay Circle, Suite 215, Rochester Hills, MI 48307
    (248) 453-5252
  • 950 Broadway, Suite M100, Tacoma WA 98402
    (253) 858-2427

Services

  • Investment Management
  • 529 Plan
  • IRA
  • 403(b)
  • 401(k)
  • Corporate retirement
  • Retirement Planning
  • Tax Planning
  • Estate Planning
  • Financial Planning

Calculators

  • Traditional IRA Calculator
  • Roth IRA Calculator

Links

  • M&A
  • Arrowroot Capital
  • Join Arrowroot
  • CPA Partnership
  • Press Releases
  • Careers
  • Events
  • Blogs
  • Clients Login

Newsletter

Arrowroot Family Office LLC is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration with the SEC does not constitute an endorsement by the SEC, nor does it imply that AFO has attained a certain level of skill or ability. Content should not be construed as legal or tax advice, AFO is not engaged in the practice of law or accounting.

AFO Form ADV (Part 2A & Part 2B)

AFO – ADV Part 3 Form CRS

    Terms & Condition | Privacy Policy | Web Accessibility

Copyright © 2025 Arrowroot Family Office – All rights reserved.

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