Q. Can I submit whole grocery & dining expenses, including taxes (and tips) for reimbursement from a 529 plan?
A. Yes. But your total "board" (food) reimbursement is limited to actual costs or the school's board allowance, whichever is less. For most people that's going to be the school's allowance.
Repeated from the above discussion:
Yes, you can use 529 plan money to pay for off campus food.
As long as the student is enrolled at least half time, the IRS will approve room and board expenses for off-campus housing. However, those expenses must not exceed the room and board allowance included in the "cost of attendance"*, as determined by the college or university.
