Children

determination that investments by parents in their children's education through the purchase of Series EE Savings Bonds, which generate interest income, are tax-exempt if the proceeds are applied to qualified education expenses. To qualify for this tax exemption, the following criteria must be met:

1. In order for education expenses to qualify, they must be incurred in the year of redemption of the bonds. Such expenses include tuition and required fees. In a year in which the proceeds from the redeemed bonds are greater than the qualifying expenses, a prorated percentage of the redeemed bonds' earnings becomes taxable income for that year.
2. In order for the education expenses to qualify, they must be the expenses of the bond's purchaser or those of the purchaser's dependent in the year of redemption of the bonds.
3. In order for the education expenses to qualify, the purchaser of the bonds must be at least 24 years of age and the bonds must be in the name of the purchaser or in the joint names of the purchaser and his or her spouse. Also, married individuals must file joint tax returns.
4. Bonds purchased must have been issued after December 31, 1987.