Are Transcript Costs 529-Eligible Expenses? (Student is enrolled in the receiving school)

[aj485]

@XMFBigFrog

Naturally, those transcripts have fees attached to them (payable to the local colleges that sponsored the classes). I’ve paid those fees. Are those fees qualifying expenses for the purposes of a 529 plan?

After reading the section Qualified Education Expenses for 529s (aka Qualified Tuition Plans - QTPs) in IRS Pub 970 2023 Publication 970 (irs.gov)

my take is that since the fees were paid to the local schools, not UTK, you the fees would have to be eligible expenses required for attendance at the local school(s). Since the local school did not require that you get transcripts as a condition of attending the local school(s), I think you’re out of luck.

@XMFBigFrog

I’ve checked online and haven’t been able to find a definitive answer. I fully admit my Google skills might be lacking…

For all 529 plan questions, you just need to go to www.irs.gov and search for Pub 970, or if you don’t remember the Pub number, search for qualified education expenses. That will lead you to Pub 970. No google needed.

AJ