Tax treatment of distributions
(1) In general
(1)In general#
Any distribution shall be includible in the gross income of the distributee in the manner as provided in section 72.
(2)Distributions for qualified education expenses#
(A) In general No amount shall be includible in gross income under paragraph (1) if the qualified education expenses of the designated beneficiary during the taxable year are not less than the aggregate distributions during the taxable year.
(B) Distributions in excess of expenses If such aggregate distributions exceed such expenses during the taxable year, the amount otherwise includible in gross income under paragraph (1) shall be reduced by the amount which bears the same ratio to the amount which would be includible in gross income under paragraph (1) (without regard to this subparagraph) as the qualified education expenses bear to such aggregate distributions.
(C) Coordination with American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning credits and qualified tuition programs For purposes of subparagraph (A)— (i) Credit coordination The total amount of qualified education expenses with respect to an individual for the taxable year shall be reduced— (I) as provided in section 25A(g)(2), and (II) by the amount of such expenses which were taken into account in determining the credit allowed to the taxpayer or any other person under section 25A. (ii) Coordination with qualified tuition programs If, with respect to an individual for any taxable year— (I) the aggregate distributions during such year to which subparagraph (A) and section 529(c)(3)(B) apply, exceed (II) the total amount of qualified education expenses (after the application of clause (i)) for such year, the taxpayer shall allocate such expenses among such distributions for purposes of determining the amount of the exclusion under subparagraph (A) and section 529(c)(3)(B).
(D) Disallowance of excluded amounts as deduction, credit, or exclusion No deduction, credit, or exclusion shall be allowed to the taxpayer under any other section of this chapter for any qualified education expenses to the extent taken into account in determining the amount of the exclusion under this paragraph.
(2)(A)In general#
(3)Special rules for applying estate and gift taxes with respect to account#
Rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (2), (4), and (5) of section 529(c) shall apply for purposes of this section.
(4)Additional tax for distributions not used for educational expenses#
(A) In general The tax imposed by this chapter for any taxable year on any taxpayer who receives a payment or distribution from a Coverdell education savings account which is includible in gross income shall be increased by 10 percent of the amount which is so includible.
(B) Exceptions Subparagraph (A) shall not apply if the payment or distribution is— (i) made to a beneficiary (or to the estate of the designated beneficiary) on or after the death of the designated beneficiary, (ii) attributable to the designated beneficiary’s being disabled (within the meaning of section 72(m)(7)), (iii) made on account of a scholarship, allowance, or payment described in section 25A(g)(2) received by the designated beneficiary to the extent the amount of the payment or distribution does not exceed the amount of the scholarship, allowance, or payment, (iv) made on account of the attendance of the designated beneficiary at the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Coast Guard Academy, or the United States Merchant Marine Academy, to the extent that the amount of the payment or distribution does not exceed the costs of advanced education (as defined by section 2005(e)(3) of title 10 , United States Code, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this section) attributable to such attendance, or (v) an amount which is includible in gross income solely by application of paragraph (2)(C)(i)(II) for the taxable year.
(C) Contributions returned before certain date Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to the distribution of any contribution made during a taxable year on behalf of the designated beneficiary if— (i) such distribution is made before the first day of the sixth month of the taxable year following the taxable year, and (ii) such distribution is accompanied by the amount of net income attributable to such excess contribution. Any net income described in clause (ii) shall be included in gross income for the taxable year in which such excess contribution was made.
(4)(A)In general#
(5)Rollover contributions#
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any amount paid or distributed from a Coverdell education savings account to the extent that the amount received is paid, not later than the 60th day after the date of such payment or distribution, into another Coverdell education savings account for the benefit of the same beneficiary or a member of the family (within the meaning of section 529(e)(2)) of such beneficiary who has not attained age 30 as of such date. The preceding sentence shall not apply to any payment or distribution if it applied to any prior payment or distribution during the 12-month period ending on the date of the payment or distribution.
(6)Change in beneficiary#
Any change in the beneficiary of a Coverdell education savings account shall not be treated as a distribution for purposes of paragraph (1) if the new beneficiary is a member of the family (as so defined) of the old beneficiary and has not attained age 30 as of the date of such change.
(7)Special rules for death and divorce#
Rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (7) and (8) of section 220(f) shall apply. In applying the preceding sentence, members of the family (as so defined) of the designated beneficiary shall be treated in the same manner as the spouse under such paragraph (8).
(8)Deemed distribution on required distribution date#
In any case in which a distribution is required under subsection (b)(1)(E), any balance to the credit of a designated beneficiary as of the close of the 30-day period referred to in such subsection for making such distribution shall be deemed distributed at the close of such period.
(9)Military death gratuity#
(A) In general For purposes of this section, the term “rollover contribution” includes a contribution to a Coverdell education savings account made before the end of the 1-year period beginning on the date on which the contributor receives an amount under section 1477 of title 10 , United States Code, or section 1967 of title 38 of such Code, with respect to a person, to the extent that such contribution does not exceed— (i) the sum of the amounts received during such period by such contributor under such sections with respect to such person, reduced by (ii) the amounts so received which were contributed to a Roth IRA under section 408A(e)(2) or to another Coverdell education savings account.
(B) Annual limit on number of rollovers not to apply The last sentence of paragraph (5) shall not apply with respect to amounts treated as a rollover by subparagraph (A).
(C) Application of section 72 For purposes of applying section 72 in the case of a distribution which is includible in gross income under paragraph (1), the amount treated as a rollover by reason of subparagraph (A) shall be treated as investment in the contract.
(9)(A)In general#
For purposes of this section, the term “rollover contribution” includes a contribution to a Coverdell education savings account made before the end of the 1-year period beginning on the date on which the contributor receives an amount under section 1477 of title 10 , United States Code, or section 1967 of title 38 of such Code, with respect to a person, to the extent that such contribution does not exceed—
(i) the sum of the amounts received during such period by such contributor under such sections with respect to such person, reduced by
(ii) the amounts so received which were contributed to a Roth IRA under section 408A(e)(2) or to another Coverdell education savings account.