No, you do not have to file a return to report the 1099-Q. As long as the funds were used for qualified educational expenses. The 1099-Q is to be reported only on the return of the person whose social security number is on the 1099-Q. Funds distributed from a 529 Plan, will be reported by the bank on Form 1099-Q. The 1099-Q is sent to the owner/recipient of the 529 Plan funds. The Form 1099-Q is to be reported as income if they were not used to pay qualified college tuition/expenses. If the amount reported on the 1099-Q were used to cover qualified college tuition/expenses you do not need to report the income. If the amount exceeds the amount of college tuition/ expenses then the excess needs to be reported as other income on your 1040.
If your son is not required to file a tax return, you would not need to report the excess unless the excess in combination with his other income would put him over the filing requirement and make it to where he would be required to file a return.
You do not have to report the 1099-Q on your taxes as it was issued in your son's name and social security number.
The person you talked to that said you do not have to report it at all is correct. as long as there is no excess income from the distribution.
