Kids and Money: You can now tap 529 accounts for a broader range of career education expenses

Steve Rosen, Tribune Content Agency

The recent budget legislation passed by Congress expands the playing field for 529 college savings accounts to cover a broader range of education expenses.

Ever since the tax advantaged accounts were introduced in the mid-1990, they’ve largely been tapped by families to pay for tuition, fees and other college-related expenses. That’s evolved in recent years to also cover eligible kindergarten through high school education expenses.

The latest change allows the accounts to be used to help pay for a broader range of post-high school credentials and apprenticeships.

For example, students who want to become plumbers, auto mechanics, welders, heating and air conditioning technicians, tattoo artists, and others who want to pursue careers not necessarily re