Skill Savings Account Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15]
Introduced
Summary
Skill Savings Accounts would create a new tax-advantaged account that lets U.S. employees and their employers exclude contributions and education-related withdrawals from taxable income. It sets contribution caps, trustee and account rules, and a 20% penalty on nonqualified distributions for beneficiaries under age 65.
Show full summary
- Workers could exclude employee contributions up to $10,000 a year and take tax-free distributions when the money pays qualified education expenses.
- Employers could contribute too, but their excluded contributions are limited to the excess of $5,250 over the existing employer educational assistance exclusion.
- Accounts must be U.S. trusts run by a bank, insurance company, or approved trustee and must keep beneficiaries' interests nonforfeitable. Nonqualified distributions are taxable and face a 20% additional tax for beneficiaries under 65, and the rules would apply to tax years beginning after 2025.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New tax-free account for workers
If enacted, the bill would create a new Skill Savings Account (SSA) for eligible employees to save for qualified education expenses. You would be able to exclude cash contributions to an SSA by you or your employer, and exclude SSA distributions used only for qualified education expenses. Employee contributions would be excludable only up to $10,000 per year, and employer exclusions would be limited to the excess of $5,250 over any amount excluded under section 127(a)(1). Withdrawals not used only for qualified education expenses would be taxable income, and if you are under age 65 the bill would add a 20% extra tax on the taxable part. Excess contributions could be withdrawn by the tax return due date (including extensions) with earnings returned and taxed, and SSAs would be subject to excise rules for excess contributions. These rules would apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15]
PA • R
Cosponsors
Bonamici
OR • D
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov