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LearnFAQImmigrant & NRI Finance

Should immigrant parents open a 529 college savings plan for their kids?

Answer

Often yes, especially if you expect your children to attend U.S. colleges. A 529 grows tax-free and withdrawals for qualified education are tax-free federally, and many states give residents a tax deduction or credit for contributing. Your immigration status doesn't bar you from opening one as long as you and the child have SSNs or ITINs. The hesitation for visa families is uncertainty: if you move back home, the money can still pay for school abroad at institutions eligible for U.S. federal aid, or you can change the beneficiary, but a fully non-qualified withdrawal owes tax plus a 10% penalty on the earnings. If there's a real chance you'll relocate, start modest and stay flexible. See wealthserene.com/tools/college-planner.

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