529 deduction: YesTax parity: No — START only
In-state plan only
Most states that offer a 529 tax break only give it for their own in-state plan, and Louisiana follows that rule: only deposits to START accounts qualify for the deduction. Contributions to another state's plan get no Louisiana tax break. If the deduction matters to you, that tilts the choice toward START; if another state's plan wins decisively on fees or investment options, weigh that against the deduction you'd give up.
The deduction
Deposits to START accounts are deductible from Louisiana taxable income up to $2,400 per year, per beneficiary — $4,800 per year, per beneficiary for married couples filing jointly. The distinctive part is the carryforward: any unused portion of the annual amount carries forward to later tax years, so skipping a year builds up extra deduction room instead of losing it. Limits change yearly — confirm the current figure with the Louisiana plan.
How it fits with the gift-tax rules
A 529 contribution is also a gift for federal purposes, so it counts toward the $19,000 annual exclusion (2026). The 5-year election ("superfunding") lets you front-load up to $95,000 per donor per child without using any lifetime exemption.
See how much you can front-load with the 529 Superfunding Calculator, and keep family contributions within the exclusion with the Gift Tax Calculator.
529 deductions & credits in other states
Tax-parity states let you deduct contributions to any state's 529 plan; the rest limit the benefit to their own plan.
Tax parity: Arizona · Arkansas · Kansas · Maine · Minnesota · Missouri · Montana · Ohio · Pennsylvania
Own-plan deduction or credit: New York · New Jersey · Connecticut · Massachusetts · Rhode Island · Vermont · Illinois · Indiana · Michigan · Wisconsin · Iowa · North Dakota · Virginia · Maryland · District of Columbia · West Virginia · Georgia · South Carolina · Colorado · New Mexico · Utah · Idaho · Oregon · Oklahoma · Alabama · Mississippi · Nebraska
General information, not tax advice. 529 deduction rules and limits change yearly and this page may not reflect the latest figure — confirm with the Louisiana plan and your CPA. Louisiana's deduction is limited to the state's own START accounts as of recent guidance.
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