Parent's "Assets" on FAFSA

<p>^^This applies to IRAs, not 401k accounts:</p>

<p>[Publication</a> 970 (2012), Tax Benefits for Education](<a href=“Publication 970 (2022), Tax Benefits for Education | Internal Revenue Service”>Publication 970 (2022), Tax Benefits for Education | Internal Revenue Service)</p>

<p>Excerpt:</p>

<ol>
<li> Education Exception to Additional Tax on Early IRA Distributions</li>
</ol>

<p>Table of Contents</p>

<p>Introduction
Who Is Eligible
Figuring the Amount Not Subject to the 10% Tax
Reporting Early Distributions
Introduction</p>

<p>Generally, if you take a distribution from your IRA before you reach age 59½, you must pay a 10% additional tax on the early distribution. This applies to any IRA you own, whether it is a traditional IRA (including a SEP-IRA), a Roth IRA, or a SIMPLE IRA. The additional tax on an early distribution from a SIMPLE IRA may be as high as 25%. See Publication 560, Retirement Plans for Small Business, for information on SEP-IRAs, and Publication 590, for information about all other IRAs.</p>

<p>However, you can take distributions from your IRAs for qualified higher education expenses without having to pay the 10% additional tax. You may owe income tax on at least part of the amount distributed, but you may not have to pay the 10% additional tax.</p>

<p>Generally, if the taxable part of the distribution is less than or equal to the adjusted qualified education expenses (AQEE), none of the distribution is subject to the additional tax. If the taxable part of the distribution is more than the AQEE, only the excess is subject to the additional tax.</p>

<p>Has the government ever considered making the same rules for a 401k? Why aren’t they included? Having access to those funds would be a life saver in this horrible college expense situation.</p>

<p>You can give yourself a loan from a 401k for education (possibly other?) expenses, and then you pay yourself back with interest. However, you’re giving up the opportunity to let the funds grow tax-free, so this isn’t “free” money.</p>