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HR 3749 99th Congress House Taxation Bank deposits College costs Education Finance and Financial Sector Higher education Income tax Savings accounts Tax deductions Tax deferral Tax exclusion Tax incentives Vocational and technical education

Education Savings Account Act of 1985

Introduced: November 13, 1985 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 99th Congress ended
It never became law before the 99th Congress (1985–1986) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 13, 1985
Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means.
Nov 13, 1985
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Education Savings Account Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual taxpayer an income tax deduction for contributions to a savings account established to pay the educational expenses (tuition, supplies, meals, and lodging) of individuals who have not attained the age of 35 at the time the account is established. Permits such payments of educational expenses to be made to an institution of higher education or a vocational school. Sets forth certain additional criteria an education savings account must meet in order for contributions to the account to qualify for this tax treatment. Prohibits an individual from being the beneficiary of more than one account during any calendar year.

Requires the trustee of the account to transfer five percent of the amount of the net income of the account for any calendar year to the State student incentive grant program of any State designated by the terms of the instrument of the account.

Requires any amounts paid out of an education savings account to be included in the gross income of the payee or distributee, unless such amounts are used to pay the educational expenses incurred by the individual for whose benefit the account is established. Requires the individual for whose benefit the educational expenses were paid to include such amounts in income on a pro rata basis over a ten year period beginning at age 35.

Provides that an education savings account shall be tax-exempt unless certain prohibited transactions are undertaken. Provides a ten percent tax penalty on distributions which were not used for the payment of educational expenses.

Requires that the trustee of an education savings account file reports with the Secretary of the Treasury on the maintenance of the account. Imposes penalties for not filing required reports.

Extends the deduction for contributions to an education savings account to taxpayers who do not otherwise itemize deductions.

Provides that contributions to an education savings account shall not be considered a taxable gift.

Provides that distributions from education savings accounts are excluded from income in determining support.

What's happening now November 13, 1985

Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3749: Education Savings Account Act of 1985. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-3749/
MLA
"H.R. 3749: Education Savings Account Act of 1985." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-3749/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3749, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-3749/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3749: Education Savings Account Act of 1985](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-3749/)
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