I poked around here a bit, but I don't see this topic covered already. My original question was how best to give the remainder of a 529 to the beneficiary when they are done with college. I would like to close the account and have everything go to the beneficiary. But the rules say that its taxed as income to the Participant. So - is the right thing to do here is change the beneficiary, then make the old beneficiary the Participant, then let him close the account?
And that got me thinking more. I have five sources of income for this account.
- I can put my own money in.
- Grandmother is going to put money in.
- Child is going to put his own money in.
- Cloverdell account is going to be closed and all assests moved
- I, as trustee of the child's trust fund, am going to move a large some of money from the trust.
Now, all of that seems like a good think to do to grow a college fund as large as possible tax free; but am I correct in understanding that as the Participant I now have the legal right to withdraw the money as mine, just paying tax on the earnings?
And - is the 10% penalty just on the earnings portion of the distribution, or on the whole distribution?
Thanks for your time.