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Official form guide
Form 5498E: 5498-ESA
IRS Form 5498-ESA is Coverdell ESA Contribution Information, used to report contributions made to a Coverdell Education Savings Account for the calendar year shown on the form. The instructions state that these revisions are continuous use.
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IRS Form 5498E - 5498-ESA
IRS Form 5498-ESA is Coverdell ESA Contribution Information, used to report contributions made to a Coverdell Education Savings Account for the calendar year shown on the form. The instructions state that these revisions are continuous use.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Do not truncate a trustee's or issuer's TIN on any form filed with the IRS.
- 2Filing without reporting contributions (Box 1) when they were made during the calendar year.
- 3Reporting rollover contributions in Box 1 instead of the designated Box 2.
- 4Using prior years' revisions, as these instructions are for continuous use only.
- 5Truncating a beneficiary’s TIN on the form submitted to the IRS.
Plain English
This form tells the IRS how much money was put into a Coverdell ESA account during a specific year. It also reports if any money moved from one account to another. Filers must submit this information so the recipient knows their contributions were properly reported.
Submission Date
- Filing date: 2026-01-28 15:14:12
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form when maintaining a Coverdell ESA for which contributions were made during the calendar year shown on the form.
- Do not use Form 5498-ESA if a total distribution was made from an account during the year and no contributions (including rollovers) were made for that year.
- Check Form 1099-Q instead when reporting distributions from a Coverdell ESA.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Transferring funds between two Coverdell ESAs
Rollover contributions are generally not taxable if paid within 60 days of distribution
✓ Verify the beneficiary is under age 30 (unless special needs).
Reporting distributions from a ESA
Distributions must be reported on this form, along with Form 5498-ESA for contributions
✓ Confirm all distributions are listed.
Beneficiary changes to a family member
A change in beneficiary is not treated as a distribution if the new person is a family member and under age 30 (except special needs)
✓ Ensure the relationship qualifies as 'Family Member'.
Filing for an account with no contributions/distributions
Generally, if only distributions occurred without contributions, Form 5498-ESA filing is not required
✓ Review total distribution vs. contribution amounts.
Deadline or filing window
Filers must file Form 5498-ESA for each person during the calendar year shown on the form. These continuous-use revisions are used to furnish information to the recipient and file it with the IRS in early 2027 for 2026 data.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Coverdell ESA Contribution Information
The specific contribution amounts for the calendar year shown · Form 5498-ESA
Filing Requirement
Maintain a Coverdell ESA during the calendar year shown on the form · Instructions p.1
Rollover Eligibility
The amount rolled over from one ESA to another · Form 5498-ESA (implied)
Distribution Reporting
Total distribution amounts made during the year · Instructions p.2
Beneficiary Status
The age of the beneficiary/family member · Form 5498-ESA (implied)
Statement Furnishing Date
April 30 of the year following the calendar year for filing · Instructions p.2
Before you submit
- 1Ensure all address fields (Trustee’s, Issuer’s, Beneficiary’s) are individually completed.
- 2Confirm that the form covers every person for whom a Coverdell ESA was maintained during the calendar year shown.
- 3Verify that if distributions occurred, they are reported on Form 1099-Q.
- 4Check that any rollover contribution is generally not taxable (unless specific exceptions apply).
- 5Confirm that statements to the beneficiary/participant will be furnished by April 30 of the following year.
- 6If filing paper copies, verify you are submitting the black-and-white Copy A along with Form 1096.
- 7Double-check that the form is not being used for a prior year's information.
How to file this form
- 1Complete Form 5498-ESA by detailing contributions to each Coverdell ESA maintained during the calendar year shown on the form.
- 2If applicable, report all distributions from the Coverdell ESA(s) and confirm they are reported on Form 1099-Q.
- 3Furnish a statement to the beneficiary (participant) by April 30 of the following year for each account covered by this Form 5498-ESA.
- 4Follow applicable procedures: file electronically or send the black-and-white Copy A with Form 1096 if filing on paper, and obtain proof of acceptance.
Known limitations
- 1If a total distribution was made from a Coverdell ESA during the year and no contributions (including rollovers) were made for that year, filing Form 5498-ESA is generally not required.
- 2The specific rules regarding rollover contributions do not apply to any payment or distribution if it applied to any prior payment or distribution during the 12-month period ending on the date of the payment or distribution.
- 3If a contribution is made after April 15 of the following year, it must still be designated for the calendar year when reporting on Form 5498-ESA.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
General Info
2 items
Full legal name and taxpayer identification number (SSN or EIN).
Current mailing address.
Details
2 items
Complete all applicable sections of this form according to the official IRS instructions.
Enter the relevant dollar amount if this form involves tax calculation.
Certification
1 items
Read and acknowledge any certifications required by this form.
Signatures
1 items
Sign and date. Unsigned forms cannot be processed.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The current edition is the December 2026 revision, and the form/instructions are in continuous use. For the latest information regarding Form 5498-ESA, users should check IRS.gov/Form5498ESA.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the revision date reads December 2026.
- Continuous use status — confirm the form and instructions are designated for continuous use.
- Filing method — confirm you are using the black-and-white Copy A if filing on paper with Form 1096.
- Statement deadline — confirm statements to participants must be furnished by April 30 of the following year.
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Keep a copy of Form 5498-ESA (Rev. December 2026) for your records.
- 2If furnishing this information to the recipient, use Copy B of Form 5498-ESA.
- 3The IRS encourages designating an account number for all Forms 5498-ESA filed; refer to part L in Pub. 1099 for guidance.
- 4For future years, continue using the December 2026 revision until a superseding revision is issued.
Sources
- SRCInstructions p.1 — The form and instructions have been converted from an annual revision to continuous use.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — Use the December 2026 revision of Form 5498–ESA and these instructions to file 2026 information with the IRS in early 2027.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — A contribution of a military death gratuity is considered a rollover contribution.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — Any amount distributed from a Coverdell ESA is not taxable if paid no later than the 60th day after the date of payment or distribution into another Coverdell ESA for the benefit of the same beneficiary or a member of the beneficiary's family who has not reached age 30 as of that date.
- SRCInstructions p.2 — Box 1 is used to enter contributions made for the calendar year and through April 15 of the following year, but does not include rollovers.
- SRCInstructions p.2 — Box 2 is used to enter any rollover contributions (including a military death gratuity and trustee-to-trustee transfer) received during the calendar year.
Common confusion points
When should I file Form 5498-ESA?
The form is for 'continuous use,' so when exactly do I need to file this specific revision (12/2026)?
You must use the December 2026 revision of Form 5498–ESA and these instructions to file 2026 information with the IRS in early 2027.
→ Confirm that your form shows a revision date of December 2026.
What do I report in Box 1 versus Box 2?
Box 1 reports contributions made for the calendar year and through April 15 of the following year, but it specifically does not include rollovers.
Box 2 reports any rollover contributions (including a military death gratuity or trustee-to-trustee transfer) received during the calendar year shown on Form 5498-ESA.
→ Check that Box 1 is for general contributions and Box 2 is for all rollover amounts.
Do I need to file this form if my total distributions were made, but no new money was put in?
Generally, you do not need to file Form 5498-ESA if a total distribution was made from an account during the year and no contributions (including rollovers) were made for that year.
This applies unless other filing requirements dictate otherwise.
→ Verify that both distributions occurred AND zero contributions/rollovers occurred.
What is the contribution limit related to Form 5498-ESA?
If the total contributions made to all your Coverdell ESAs for the calendar year shown on this form exceeded $2,000, you must withdraw the excess plus earnings by May 31 of the following year.
This requirement applies if the contribution limit is surpassed.
→ Check that the total contributions reported across all forms filed for the year exceed $2,000.
Who counts as a 'family member' of the designated beneficiary?
Family members include the beneficiary's spouse; also included are children (including stepchildren and foster children) and their descendants, siblings and their children, parents, their siblings and ancestors, stepparents, in-laws, the spouse of any of the foregoing, and any first cousin of the designated beneficiary.
This list covers all defined relationships for family member status on Form 5498-ESA.
→ Review the full definition provided in the instructions to ensure no category is missed.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Use Form 5498-ESA (Rev. December 2026) for corrections or voiding purposes.
Questions about IRS Form 5498E
What is IRS Form 5498E used for?
This form tells the IRS how much money was put into a Coverdell ESA account during a specific year. It also reports if any money moved from one account to another. Filers must submit this information so the recipient knows their contributions were properly reported.
Who must file IRS Form 5498E?
Trustees and issuers who maintain a Coverdell education savings account (ESA) for an individual must file IRS Form 5498-ESA for each person.
What information does IRS Form 5498E require?
The form collects details such as the Trustee’s or Issuer’s name, the Beneficiary’s name, contributions reported in Box 1, and rollover contributions reported in Box 2. It requires an Account number if there are multiple accounts being filed for one recipient.
When is IRS Form 5498E due?
Filers must submit Form 5498-ESA with the IRS for each person during the calendar year shown on the form. These continuous-use revisions should be used to file 2026 information in early 2027.
Where do I file IRS Form 5498E?
For filing with the IRS, filers must follow applicable electronic procedures or send in the black-and-white Copy A along with Form 1096 printed from the IRS website. The form is specifically designated for submission to the Internal Revenue Service.
How do I complete IRS Form 5498E?
First, enter the 4-digit calendar year in the designated entry space. Next, fill out the Trustee’s or Issuer’s identifying information, followed by the Beneficiary’s details. Finally, report the contributions in Box 1 and any rollovers in Box 2 before signing.
What happens if IRS Form 5498E is filed incorrectly?
The source does not specify a penalty amount, but failure to file correctly means the information regarding contributions and rollovers will not be properly reported to the IRS.
The form is for 'continuous use,' so when exactly do I need to file this specific revision (12/2026)?
You must use the December 2026 revision of Form 5498–ESA and these instructions to file 2026 information with the IRS in early 2027. Confirm that your form shows a revision date of December 2026.
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