§135. Income from United States savings bonds used to pay higher education tuition and fees

(a) General rule

In the case of an individual who pays qualified higher education expenses during the taxable year, no amount shall be includible in gross income by reason of the redemption during such year of any qualified United States savings bond.

(b) Limitations

(1) Limitation where redemption proceeds exceed higher education expenses

(A) In general

If-

(i) the aggregate proceeds of qualified United States savings bonds redeemed by the taxpayer during the taxable year exceed

(ii) the qualified higher education expenses paid by the taxpayer during such taxable year,

the amount excludable from gross income under subsection (a) shall not exceed the applicable fraction of the amount excludable from gross income under subsection (a) without regard to this subsection.

(B) Applicable fraction

For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term "applicable fraction" means the fraction the numerator of which is the amount described in subparagraph (A)(ii) and the denominator of which is the amount described in subparagraph (A)(i).

(2) Limitation based on modified adjusted gross income

(A) In general

If the modified adjusted gross income of the taxpayer for the taxable year exceeds $40,000 ($60,000 in the case of a joint return), the amount which would (but for this paragraph) be excludable from gross income under subsection (a) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount which bears the same ratio to the amount which would be so excludable as such excess bears to $15,000 ($30,000 in the case of a joint return).

(B) Inflation adjustment

In the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 1990, the $40,000 and $60,000 amounts contained in subparagraph (A) shall be increased by an amount equal to-

(i) such dollar amount, multiplied by

(ii) the cost-of-living adjustment under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins.

(C) Rounding

If any amount as adjusted under subparagraph (B) is not a multiple of $50, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $50 (or if such amount is a multiple of $25, such amount shall be rounded to the next highest multiple of $50).

(c) Definitions

For purposes of this section-

(1) Qualified United States savings bond

The term "qualified United States savings bond" means any United States savings bond issued-

(A) after December 31, 1989,

(B) to an individual who has attained age 24 before the date of issuance, and

(C) at discount under section 3105 of title 31, United States Code.

(2) Qualified higher education expenses

(A) In general

The term "qualified higher education expenses" means tuition and fees required for the enrollment or attendance of-

(i) the taxpayer,

(ii) the taxpayer's spouse, or

(iii) any dependent of the taxpayer with respect to whom the taxpayer is allowed a deduction under section 151,

at an eligible educational institution.

(B) Exception for education involving sports, etc.

Such term shall not include expenses with respect to any course or other education involving sports, games, or hobbies other than as part of a degree program.

(3) Eligible educational institution

The term "eligible educational institution" means-

(A) an institution described in section 1201(a) or subparagraph (C) or (D) of section 481(a)(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (as in effect on October 21, 1988), and

(B) an area vocational education school (as defined in subparagraph (C) or (D) of section 521(3) of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act) which is in any State (as defined in section 521(27) of such Act), as such sections are in effect on October 21, 1988.

(4) Modified adjusted gross income

The term "modified adjusted gross income" means the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer for the taxable year determined-

(A) without regard to this section and sections 911, 931, and 933, and

(B) after the application of sections 86, 469, and 219.

(d) Special rules

(1) Adjustment for certain scholarships and veterans benefits

The amount of qualified higher education expenses otherwise taken into account under subsection (a) with respect to the education of an individual shall be reduced (before the application of subsection (b)) by the sum of the amounts received with respect to such individual for the taxable year as-

(A) a qualified scholarship which under section 117 is not includable in gross income,

(B) an educational assistance allowance under chapter 30, 31, 32, 34, or 35 of title 38, United States Code, or

(C) a payment (other than a gift, bequest, devise, or inheritance within the meaning of section 102(a)) for educational expenses, or attributable to attendance at an eligible educational institution, which is exempt from income taxation by any law of the United States.

(2) No exclusion for married individuals filing separate returns

If the taxpayer is a married individual (within the meaning of section 7703), this section shall apply only if the taxpayer and his spouse file a joint return for the taxable year.

(3) Regulations

The Secretary may prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out this section, including regulations requiring record keeping and information reporting.

(Added Pub. L. 100–647, title VI, §6009(a), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3688 ; amended Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, §7816(c)(2), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2420 ; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, §§11101(d)(1)(E), 11702(h), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–405 , 1388-516.)

Adjustment of Limitation on Exclusion of Income Under This Section for Tax Years Beginning in 1995

For adjustment of limitation on exclusion for income from redemption of United States savings bonds for taxpayers who pay qualified higher education expenses under this section for tax years beginning in 1995, see section 3.07 of Revenue Procedure 94–72, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

References in Text

Section 1201(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, referred to in subsec. (c)(3)(A), is classified to section 1141(a) of Title 20, Education.

Section 481(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, referred to in subsec. (c)(3)(A), which is classified to section 1088(a) of Title 20, was amended by Pub. L. 102–325, title IV, §481(a), July 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 609 , which struck out par. (1) and added a new par. (1) consisting of subpars. (A) to (C).

Section 521 of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(3)(B), is section 521 of Pub. L. 88–210, Dec. 18, 1963, 77 Stat. 403 , as amended, known as the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act, which is classified to section 2471 of Title 20.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 135 was renumbered section 137 of this title.

Amendments

1990-Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 101–508, §11702(h)(1), substituted "the $40,000 and $60,000 amounts" for "each dollar amount" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 101–508, §11101(d)(1)(E), struck out before period at end ", determined by substituting 'calendar year 1989' for 'calendar year 1987' in subparagraph (B) thereof".

Subsec. (b)(2)(C). Pub. L. 101–508, §11702(h)(2), struck out "(A) or" after "subparagraph".

1989-Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 101–239 substituted "subsection (a) with respect to" for "subsection (a) respect to".

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Amendment by section 11101(d)(1)(E) of Pub. L. 101–508 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1990, see section 11101(e) of Pub. L. 101–508, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Amendment by section 11702(h) of Pub. L. 101–508 effective as if included in the provision of the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988, Pub. L. 100–647, to which such amendment relates, see section 11702(j) of Pub. L. 101–508, set out as a note under section 59 of this title.

Effective Date of 1989 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 101–239 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988, Pub. L. 100–647, to which such amendment relates, see section 7817 of Pub. L. 101–239, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Effective Date

Section applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1989, see section 6009(d) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as an Effective Date of 1988 Amendment note under section 86 of this title.

Promotion of Public Awareness of Program

Section 6009(b) of Pub. L. 100–647 provided that: "The Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate shall take such actions as may be necessary to make the general public aware of the program established by this section [enacting this section, amending sections 86, 219, and 469 of this title, renumbering former section 135 of this title as section 136 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes below and under section 86 of this title]."

Parental Assistance With Tuition Stamp Study

Section 6009(e) of Pub. L. 100–647 directed Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate, after consultation with Secretary of Education or his delegate, to conduct a study of feasibility of using stamps or similar programs to encourage and facilitate savings by parents towards purchase of Series EE bonds eligible for exclusion and to submit, not later than Dec. 31, 1989, results of such study, together with any recommendations deemed appropriate, to Committee on Ways and Means of House of Representatives and Committee on Finance of Senate.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in sections 86, 219, 469 of this title.