Can I start 529 plans for my niece & nephew without my sibling knowing?












4














If I wanted to start a 529 plan for them now to give to them at the end of their high school career as a surprise to both them and their parents, is it possible to do so?



My niece and nephew are both under two years old, so I would have a significant amount of time to make small pre-tax contributions that would add up to a first semester / year of college for them by the time they're ready to attend. I would like to have this be a surprise to my sister and brother-in-law as well just in case plans change (and to keep the surprise factor), but I'm not sure of their role/requirements when starting the 529 plan.




  • Do I need their authorization to initiate the plan?

  • Is there an alternative plan that I could start to achieve this?






united-states 529-plan







share|improve this question




















  • 3




    I personally would reveal the accounts the year before AKA beginning of their junior year of high school. The money could change where they decide to go to college and/or their financial aid packages.
    – mkennedy
    7 hours ago












  • WARNING -- Giving your niece & nephew "money for college" will mean they have money which will mean they will get less financial aid. Check this out thoroughly before going ahead. (Expanding on mkennedy's answer.)
    – Jennifer
    34 mins ago
















4














If I wanted to start a 529 plan for them now to give to them at the end of their high school career as a surprise to both them and their parents, is it possible to do so?



My niece and nephew are both under two years old, so I would have a significant amount of time to make small pre-tax contributions that would add up to a first semester / year of college for them by the time they're ready to attend. I would like to have this be a surprise to my sister and brother-in-law as well just in case plans change (and to keep the surprise factor), but I'm not sure of their role/requirements when starting the 529 plan.




  • Do I need their authorization to initiate the plan?

  • Is there an alternative plan that I could start to achieve this?






united-states 529-plan







share|improve this question




















  • 3




    I personally would reveal the accounts the year before AKA beginning of their junior year of high school. The money could change where they decide to go to college and/or their financial aid packages.
    – mkennedy
    7 hours ago












  • WARNING -- Giving your niece & nephew "money for college" will mean they have money which will mean they will get less financial aid. Check this out thoroughly before going ahead. (Expanding on mkennedy's answer.)
    – Jennifer
    34 mins ago














4












4








4







If I wanted to start a 529 plan for them now to give to them at the end of their high school career as a surprise to both them and their parents, is it possible to do so?



My niece and nephew are both under two years old, so I would have a significant amount of time to make small pre-tax contributions that would add up to a first semester / year of college for them by the time they're ready to attend. I would like to have this be a surprise to my sister and brother-in-law as well just in case plans change (and to keep the surprise factor), but I'm not sure of their role/requirements when starting the 529 plan.




  • Do I need their authorization to initiate the plan?

  • Is there an alternative plan that I could start to achieve this?






united-states 529-plan







share|improve this question















If I wanted to start a 529 plan for them now to give to them at the end of their high school career as a surprise to both them and their parents, is it possible to do so?



My niece and nephew are both under two years old, so I would have a significant amount of time to make small pre-tax contributions that would add up to a first semester / year of college for them by the time they're ready to attend. I would like to have this be a surprise to my sister and brother-in-law as well just in case plans change (and to keep the surprise factor), but I'm not sure of their role/requirements when starting the 529 plan.




  • Do I need their authorization to initiate the plan?

  • Is there an alternative plan that I could start to achieve this?






united-states 529-plan




united-states 529-plan






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 6 hours ago









mkennedy

783611




783611










asked 9 hours ago









Lil' Bits

1605




1605








  • 3




    I personally would reveal the accounts the year before AKA beginning of their junior year of high school. The money could change where they decide to go to college and/or their financial aid packages.
    – mkennedy
    7 hours ago












  • WARNING -- Giving your niece & nephew "money for college" will mean they have money which will mean they will get less financial aid. Check this out thoroughly before going ahead. (Expanding on mkennedy's answer.)
    – Jennifer
    34 mins ago














  • 3




    I personally would reveal the accounts the year before AKA beginning of their junior year of high school. The money could change where they decide to go to college and/or their financial aid packages.
    – mkennedy
    7 hours ago












  • WARNING -- Giving your niece & nephew "money for college" will mean they have money which will mean they will get less financial aid. Check this out thoroughly before going ahead. (Expanding on mkennedy's answer.)
    – Jennifer
    34 mins ago








3




3




I personally would reveal the accounts the year before AKA beginning of their junior year of high school. The money could change where they decide to go to college and/or their financial aid packages.
– mkennedy
7 hours ago






I personally would reveal the accounts the year before AKA beginning of their junior year of high school. The money could change where they decide to go to college and/or their financial aid packages.
– mkennedy
7 hours ago














WARNING -- Giving your niece & nephew "money for college" will mean they have money which will mean they will get less financial aid. Check this out thoroughly before going ahead. (Expanding on mkennedy's answer.)
– Jennifer
34 mins ago




WARNING -- Giving your niece & nephew "money for college" will mean they have money which will mean they will get less financial aid. Check this out thoroughly before going ahead. (Expanding on mkennedy's answer.)
– Jennifer
34 mins ago










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















5














You can start a 529 plan with yourself as the beneficiary, and you can later change the beneficiary to a qualified family member without tax implications. Nieces and nephews count as qualified family members.






share|improve this answer





















  • Be aware there may be gift tax implications if one starts with the beneficiary as one's self and then transfers to a niece and nephew.
    – Morrison Chang
    2 hours ago










  • @MorrisonChang Any reference for that? Nieces and nephews count as qualified family members by my reading.
    – Hart CO
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    Niece and nephews count as qualified family members, but at least for New York State Direct Plan Section 7, page 35 of the agreement, If you change your Beneficiary or transfer money to an Account for another Beneficiary, you may be subject to gift tax if the new Beneficiary is: • Of a younger generation than your Beneficiary being replaced; or • Not a Member of the Family of the current Beneficiary. So if the adult Uncle/Aunt is the both owner and the beneficiary there appears to be gift tax issues to be managed.
    – Morrison Chang
    1 hour ago












  • @MorrisonChang Nice, thanks for reference.
    – Hart CO
    1 hour ago



















4














That's a really nice thing that you're planning to do for your niece and nephew, and it is possible to do!



You do need to provide a social security number for the beneficiary of the 529 plan, so to name your niece and nephew as beneficiaries, you will need to get their social security numbers. If you can get these without tipping off the parents, great! Otherwise, you can always change the beneficiary of a 529 plan. You can start the plans with yourself as beneficiary and then get your niece and nephew's SSNs and change the beneficiary to be them after they graduate.






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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes








    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    5














    You can start a 529 plan with yourself as the beneficiary, and you can later change the beneficiary to a qualified family member without tax implications. Nieces and nephews count as qualified family members.






    share|improve this answer





















    • Be aware there may be gift tax implications if one starts with the beneficiary as one's self and then transfers to a niece and nephew.
      – Morrison Chang
      2 hours ago










    • @MorrisonChang Any reference for that? Nieces and nephews count as qualified family members by my reading.
      – Hart CO
      2 hours ago






    • 1




      Niece and nephews count as qualified family members, but at least for New York State Direct Plan Section 7, page 35 of the agreement, If you change your Beneficiary or transfer money to an Account for another Beneficiary, you may be subject to gift tax if the new Beneficiary is: • Of a younger generation than your Beneficiary being replaced; or • Not a Member of the Family of the current Beneficiary. So if the adult Uncle/Aunt is the both owner and the beneficiary there appears to be gift tax issues to be managed.
      – Morrison Chang
      1 hour ago












    • @MorrisonChang Nice, thanks for reference.
      – Hart CO
      1 hour ago
















    5














    You can start a 529 plan with yourself as the beneficiary, and you can later change the beneficiary to a qualified family member without tax implications. Nieces and nephews count as qualified family members.






    share|improve this answer





















    • Be aware there may be gift tax implications if one starts with the beneficiary as one's self and then transfers to a niece and nephew.
      – Morrison Chang
      2 hours ago










    • @MorrisonChang Any reference for that? Nieces and nephews count as qualified family members by my reading.
      – Hart CO
      2 hours ago






    • 1




      Niece and nephews count as qualified family members, but at least for New York State Direct Plan Section 7, page 35 of the agreement, If you change your Beneficiary or transfer money to an Account for another Beneficiary, you may be subject to gift tax if the new Beneficiary is: • Of a younger generation than your Beneficiary being replaced; or • Not a Member of the Family of the current Beneficiary. So if the adult Uncle/Aunt is the both owner and the beneficiary there appears to be gift tax issues to be managed.
      – Morrison Chang
      1 hour ago












    • @MorrisonChang Nice, thanks for reference.
      – Hart CO
      1 hour ago














    5












    5








    5






    You can start a 529 plan with yourself as the beneficiary, and you can later change the beneficiary to a qualified family member without tax implications. Nieces and nephews count as qualified family members.






    share|improve this answer












    You can start a 529 plan with yourself as the beneficiary, and you can later change the beneficiary to a qualified family member without tax implications. Nieces and nephews count as qualified family members.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered 8 hours ago









    Hart CO

    26.1k16278




    26.1k16278












    • Be aware there may be gift tax implications if one starts with the beneficiary as one's self and then transfers to a niece and nephew.
      – Morrison Chang
      2 hours ago










    • @MorrisonChang Any reference for that? Nieces and nephews count as qualified family members by my reading.
      – Hart CO
      2 hours ago






    • 1




      Niece and nephews count as qualified family members, but at least for New York State Direct Plan Section 7, page 35 of the agreement, If you change your Beneficiary or transfer money to an Account for another Beneficiary, you may be subject to gift tax if the new Beneficiary is: • Of a younger generation than your Beneficiary being replaced; or • Not a Member of the Family of the current Beneficiary. So if the adult Uncle/Aunt is the both owner and the beneficiary there appears to be gift tax issues to be managed.
      – Morrison Chang
      1 hour ago












    • @MorrisonChang Nice, thanks for reference.
      – Hart CO
      1 hour ago


















    • Be aware there may be gift tax implications if one starts with the beneficiary as one's self and then transfers to a niece and nephew.
      – Morrison Chang
      2 hours ago










    • @MorrisonChang Any reference for that? Nieces and nephews count as qualified family members by my reading.
      – Hart CO
      2 hours ago






    • 1




      Niece and nephews count as qualified family members, but at least for New York State Direct Plan Section 7, page 35 of the agreement, If you change your Beneficiary or transfer money to an Account for another Beneficiary, you may be subject to gift tax if the new Beneficiary is: • Of a younger generation than your Beneficiary being replaced; or • Not a Member of the Family of the current Beneficiary. So if the adult Uncle/Aunt is the both owner and the beneficiary there appears to be gift tax issues to be managed.
      – Morrison Chang
      1 hour ago












    • @MorrisonChang Nice, thanks for reference.
      – Hart CO
      1 hour ago
















    Be aware there may be gift tax implications if one starts with the beneficiary as one's self and then transfers to a niece and nephew.
    – Morrison Chang
    2 hours ago




    Be aware there may be gift tax implications if one starts with the beneficiary as one's self and then transfers to a niece and nephew.
    – Morrison Chang
    2 hours ago












    @MorrisonChang Any reference for that? Nieces and nephews count as qualified family members by my reading.
    – Hart CO
    2 hours ago




    @MorrisonChang Any reference for that? Nieces and nephews count as qualified family members by my reading.
    – Hart CO
    2 hours ago




    1




    1




    Niece and nephews count as qualified family members, but at least for New York State Direct Plan Section 7, page 35 of the agreement, If you change your Beneficiary or transfer money to an Account for another Beneficiary, you may be subject to gift tax if the new Beneficiary is: • Of a younger generation than your Beneficiary being replaced; or • Not a Member of the Family of the current Beneficiary. So if the adult Uncle/Aunt is the both owner and the beneficiary there appears to be gift tax issues to be managed.
    – Morrison Chang
    1 hour ago






    Niece and nephews count as qualified family members, but at least for New York State Direct Plan Section 7, page 35 of the agreement, If you change your Beneficiary or transfer money to an Account for another Beneficiary, you may be subject to gift tax if the new Beneficiary is: • Of a younger generation than your Beneficiary being replaced; or • Not a Member of the Family of the current Beneficiary. So if the adult Uncle/Aunt is the both owner and the beneficiary there appears to be gift tax issues to be managed.
    – Morrison Chang
    1 hour ago














    @MorrisonChang Nice, thanks for reference.
    – Hart CO
    1 hour ago




    @MorrisonChang Nice, thanks for reference.
    – Hart CO
    1 hour ago













    4














    That's a really nice thing that you're planning to do for your niece and nephew, and it is possible to do!



    You do need to provide a social security number for the beneficiary of the 529 plan, so to name your niece and nephew as beneficiaries, you will need to get their social security numbers. If you can get these without tipping off the parents, great! Otherwise, you can always change the beneficiary of a 529 plan. You can start the plans with yourself as beneficiary and then get your niece and nephew's SSNs and change the beneficiary to be them after they graduate.






    share|improve this answer


























      4














      That's a really nice thing that you're planning to do for your niece and nephew, and it is possible to do!



      You do need to provide a social security number for the beneficiary of the 529 plan, so to name your niece and nephew as beneficiaries, you will need to get their social security numbers. If you can get these without tipping off the parents, great! Otherwise, you can always change the beneficiary of a 529 plan. You can start the plans with yourself as beneficiary and then get your niece and nephew's SSNs and change the beneficiary to be them after they graduate.






      share|improve this answer
























        4












        4








        4






        That's a really nice thing that you're planning to do for your niece and nephew, and it is possible to do!



        You do need to provide a social security number for the beneficiary of the 529 plan, so to name your niece and nephew as beneficiaries, you will need to get their social security numbers. If you can get these without tipping off the parents, great! Otherwise, you can always change the beneficiary of a 529 plan. You can start the plans with yourself as beneficiary and then get your niece and nephew's SSNs and change the beneficiary to be them after they graduate.






        share|improve this answer












        That's a really nice thing that you're planning to do for your niece and nephew, and it is possible to do!



        You do need to provide a social security number for the beneficiary of the 529 plan, so to name your niece and nephew as beneficiaries, you will need to get their social security numbers. If you can get these without tipping off the parents, great! Otherwise, you can always change the beneficiary of a 529 plan. You can start the plans with yourself as beneficiary and then get your niece and nephew's SSNs and change the beneficiary to be them after they graduate.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 8 hours ago









        Daniel

        588315




        588315






























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