Instructions for Beneficiary
If the total contributions made to all your Coverdell ESAs
The information on Form 5498-ESA is furnished to you by
for 2017 exceeded $2,000, you must withdraw the excess,
the trustee or issuer of your Coverdell education savings
plus earnings, by May 31, 2018, or you may owe a penalty.
account (ESA) by April 30, 2018. Form 5498-ESA reports
You must keep track of your Coverdell ESA basis
contributions and rollover contributions made for you for
(contributions and distributions).
2017. For more information about Coverdell ESAs, see
Pub. 970.
Box 2. Shows any rollover (including a direct rollover and
contribution of a military death gratuity) you made in 2017.
Beneficiary's taxpayer identification number. For your
Generally, any amount rolled over from one Coverdell ESA
protection, this form may show only the last four digits of
to another Coverdell ESA for the benefit of the named
your social security number (SSN), individual taxpayer
beneficiary or a member of the beneficiary’s family who is
identification number (ITIN), adoption taxpayer
under age 30 (except for a beneficiary with special needs)
identification number (ATIN), or employer identification
is not taxable.
number (EIN). However, the issuer has reported your
complete identification number to the IRS.
Future developments. For the latest information about
developments related to Form 5498-ESA and its
Account number. May show an account or other unique
instructions, such as legislation enacted after they were
number the trustee/issuer assigned to distinguish your
published, go to
account.
Box 1. Shows Coverdell ESA contributions made in 2017
and through April 17, 2018, for 2017 on your behalf. Do not
deduct these amounts on your income tax return.