The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014 allows states to create tax-advantaged savings programs for eligible people with disabilities (designated beneficiaries). Funds from these 529A ABLE accounts can help designated beneficiaries pay for qualified disability expenses. Distributions are tax-free if used for qualified disability expenses. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 Increases the amount of contributions allowed to an ABLE account and adds special rules for the increased contribution limit. Allows an ABLE account’s designated beneficiary to claim the saver's credit for contributions to the account. Allows rollovers in limited amounts from a 529 qualified tuition program account of the designated beneficiary to the ABLE account of the designated beneficiary or his or her family member. More about the increased contribution limit In addition to the annual limit of $15,000 (the gift tax exclusion amount for 2018), a designated beneficiary who works may also contribute his or her compensation up to the poverty line amount for a one-person household. A designated beneficiary can’t contribute this additional amount if his or her employer made a contribution for him or her to a: 401(a) defined contribution plan or 403(a) annuity contract 403(b) annuity contract 457(b) eligible deferred compensation plan More about rollovers from qualified tuition programs Funds from a designated beneficiary’s qualified tuition program (also known as a 529 plan) may be rolled into an ABLE account of the designated beneficiary or of his/her family member. The permissible rollover is limited in amount. More information Publication 907, Tax Highlights for Persons With Disabilities PDF Spotlight on Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Accounts- 2023 edition Payee and ABLE accounts Guidance Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 Notice 2015-81 The Stephen Beck, Jr., Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE Act) Forms ABLE programs use Form 1099-QA, Distributions from ABLE Accounts, and Form 5498-QA, ABLE Account Contribution Information, to report relevant account information annually to designated beneficiaries and the IRS. Instructions are available for both forms.
