Description
Finally — a 529 plan tracker that actually gets it.
If you're saving for college or K-12 with a 529 plan, you already know the hard part isn't the saving. It's everything that comes after. Which expenses qualify? How much can you safely withdraw? What do you tell your CPA in April? And what happens when the 1099-Q shows up in your mailbox?
529 Tracker takes all of that off your plate. No more spreadsheets. No more shoeboxes of receipts. No more guessing. Just a clean, beautiful app that does the IRS math for you — in real time, on every device.
HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL LOVE
• Know exactly how much you can withdraw from your 529 — no guesswork, no penalties • Track every qualified expense by category: tuition, room and board, books, technology, K-12 tuition, and student loan repayments • Snap a photo or attach a PDF receipt to any transaction in seconds • Forecast your 529 balance year-by-year all the way through graduation • Manage every student and every account in one place • Reconcile your Form 1099-Q against your tracked expenses at tax time • Generate audit-ready PDF and CSV reports for your records or your accountant • Protect your $2,500 American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) with automatic reserve calculations • Get year-end reminders before the December 31 deadline so nothing slips through the cracks • Sync your data automatically across iPhone, iPad, and Mac • Watch built-in video tutorials for every feature — short, friendly, and right inside the app
BUILT AROUND THE RULES SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO STRESS
529 Tracker is designed around IRS Publication 970 and the way real 529 plans actually work. It quietly handles all the tricky stuff in the background:
• Cost of Attendance (COA) limits on room and board • Scholarship and grant reductions to qualified expenses • Calendar-year matching between expenses and withdrawals • The "greater of" rule for on-campus housing • K-12 annual tuition caps • The $10,000 lifetime student loan repayment limit • AOTC coordination to prevent double-dipping • Multi-year academic terms that straddle calendar years
You don't need to know any of this. The app does.
PERFECT FOR
Parents and grandparents who:
• Have one or more kids on a 529 plan (college or K-12) • Want a real answer to "how much can I withdraw this year?" • Are done with spreadsheets, sticky notes, and tax-season panic • Want to walk into April with everything organized • Care about staying on top of things year-round, not just at deadline time
SUBSCRIPTION
529 Tracker is available as a monthly or annual subscription:
• Monthly: $5.99 • Annual: $54.99 (best value — pays for itself in saved time)
Both plans unlock every feature, sync across all your Apple devices, and include ongoing updates as 529 rules evolve. Cancel anytime through your Apple ID — no questions, no hassle.
YOUR DATA, YOURS ALONE
We never sell, share, or use your data for advertising. Ever. All information is encrypted and securely backed up through industry-standard Firebase infrastructure (SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001 certified).
A QUICK NOTE
529 Tracker is a powerful organizational tool — but it's not a replacement for professional tax advice. All calculations are based on the data you enter and are designed to align with current IRS guidelines. Always consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation.
WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU
Questions? Feedback? Feature ideas? Email us anytime at support@charliemikestudios.com — every message is read by a real human (usually me).
Built with care by Charlie Mike Studios.
Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
What's new (v3.1)
What's New in Version 3.1
This update brings new tracking capabilities, a refined reports experience, and a range of stability and display fixes.
New Features
GI Bill Income is now available as a primary category on the main dashboard for faster, more visible tracking.
GI Bill Income is now broken out by subcategory in Reports for clearer year-end review.
Improvements
Reorganized the category layout in Reports for a more logical, intuitive flow.
Standardized currency field colors across the app, with a new color legend added to the bottom of the Summary Calculation page for easy reference.
Bug Fixes
Corrected a dark mode display issue affecting certain reports.
Resolved scroll lag on the main dashboard when using a mouse on macOS.
Fixed an issue where the disclaimer could appear twice.
Improved the Audit Binder PDF layout so all text displays clearly and legibly.
Corrected an issue preventing the Audit Binder PDF from including every receipt within the selected year.
Fixed a calculation issue so the Room & Board cost-of-attendance cap is now applied across the full calendar year rather than term by term, consistent with IRS Publication 970 guidance.
Additional housekeeping updates and minor fixes for a smoother experience.
NEW FEATURES in Version 3.0
• 529 Compliance Center — Get an instant audit-readiness score and a complete checklist of what's done and what still needs attention. Be ready before tax season even thinks about you.
• 1099-Q Reconciliation — When your plan's tax form arrives in January, match it against your tracked expenses in seconds. Know your tax position before your CPA does.
• Projections Through Graduation — Forecast your 529 balance year-by-year, all the way to graduation. Spot shortfalls before they happen. Adjust contributions with confidence.
• Year-End Action Center — A December countdown with everything you need to do before the 12/31 deadline. Missing receipts, unmatched withdrawals, and pending decisions — all in one place.
• AOTC Protection — Automatic reserve calculations make sure you never accidentally lose your $2,500 American Opportunity Tax Credit.
• Multi-Student & Multi-Account — Track every kid and every 529 account in one app. Switch between students with a single tap.
• Advanced Search & Filters — Find any transaction by category, year, student, receipt status, or notes. Lightning fast.
• Professional PDF & CSV Reports — Generate beautiful, tax-ready reports for your records or your accountant in one tap.
• Mac App via Mac Catalyst — Use 529 Tracker on your Mac with the same data, perfectly synced.
• Built-In Video Tutorials — Short, friendly walkthroughs for every feature, right inside the app. New tutorials added regularly.
IMPROVEMENTS
• Updated side bar menu now includes quick access to student editing • GI Bill is now a separate income category to better support our military families • Performance and stability improvements throughout the app • Cleaner, faster builds • Many small refinements based on your feedback
THANK YOU
To everyone who's been with us since the beginning — your feedback shaped every line of this update. Keep it coming.
Questions or ideas? support@charliemikestudios.com