Can you pay for premium dorm living from 529 account?

[collegetime18]

<p>I'm taking this IRS rule on qualified expenses for 529s including room and board to mean that we can choose a more expense dorm option (double instead of triple room) and a more expensive meal plan than the basic one (he needs more than 12 meals a week!!) and take the full amount from our 529 account. Is this correct? As long as it's charged by the school we can go a "premium" route and take that amount from the 529, right? Thanks!!!</p>

[4kidsdad]

<p>Yes if the school offers them See <a href=“http://www.irs.gov/publications/p970/ch08.html[quote]the”>http://www.irs.gov/publications/p970/ch08.html

the</a> greater of the following two amounts.
a.The allowance for room and board, as determined by the eligible educational institution, that was included in the cost of attendance (for federal financial aid purposes) for a particular academic period and living arrangement of the student. </p>

<p>b.The actual amount charged if the student is residing in housing owned or operated by the eligible educational institution

</p>

[annoyingdad]

<p>

3. Expenses for room and board must be incurred by
   students who are enrolled at least half-time. The expense
   for room and board qualifies only to the extent
   that it is not more than the greater of the following two
   amounts.
   a. The allowance for room and board, as determined
   by the eligible educational institution, that was included
   in the cost of attendance (for federal financial
   aid purposes) for a particular academic period
   and living arrangement of the student.
   b. The actual amount charged if the student is residing
   in housing owned or operated by the eligible
   educational institution.

</p>

<p>Page 56, IRS Pub 970</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p970.pdf”>http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p970.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Yes, that’s how I would interpret 3b. You are allowed the greater of 3a or 3b. Save your bills/account statements.</p>

[collegetime18]

<p>Thanks – that’s how I read it, but I’m super careful/paranoid on tax stuff! </p>