Some states offer additional tax advantages for contributing money into a 529 plan, usually in the form of a state income tax deduction or credit. If you are the 529 plan’s account owner, you may be able to claim these benefits, depending on your state of residency.
The following states do not provide any additional state tax benefits for contributions made into a 529 plan, regardless of whether the 529 plan was set up through Backer: Alaska, California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. If you live in one of these states, you will not miss out on any tax advantages when saving with Backer.
If you live in one of the following states, you may claim certain state tax benefits for contributions you have made into any 529 plan, including one set up through Backer (enrolled through Backer, not connected via Backer): Arizona, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Pennsylvania, and Utah.
The following states only provide state tax benefits for contributions made into their state plans: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
If you are a resident of one of these states, you should investigate your state’s options and you may determine that it is most advantageous to max out your contributions to a 529 plan from your state before making contributions to a 529 plan set up through Backer. However, you can still use Backer to receive gifts from family and friends, as any state tax benefits would only apply to your contributions, not those of family and friends.
Please consult your tax advisor regarding your particular tax situation and consult a lawyer to discuss any legal advice.