Custodial account or 529 plan?
I want to set aside some college money for my newly-born grandson. Assuming he has a custodial account (with my daughter as the custodian) and my daughter has opened a 529 account for him, which should I fund? Who "owns" the 529 account?
I know gifts to the custodial account are considered gifts to the grandson. Are gifts to the 529 account considered gifts to my daughter for gift-tax purposes? I believe she could withdraw funds at anytime, subject to a possible penalty and/or tax. I'm not concerned that she may do this. I'm only concerned about the tax implications.
Since 529 plans only accept cash, some of my gifts will consist of appreciated stock which would be gifted to the custodial account. My grandson could then realize up to $2100 in capital gain each year without paying any CG tax. Could he then move the proceeds to the 529 plan?