Trump Accounts For Minor Children Explained: A New Wealth-Building Opportunity
Trump Accounts are a new retirement savings vehicle created under the 2025 tax reform that allow parents, grandparents, and even employers to contribute up to $5,000 per year for a minor child — even if the child has no earned income. In this article, we explain how Trump Accounts work, contribution limits, tax rules, planning opportunities, and the key considerations to understand before opening one.
By Michael Ruger, CFP®
Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Greenbush Financial Group
Over the past several months, we’ve received a lot of questions from parents and grandparents about the new Trump Accounts created under the 2025 tax reform. Most of those questions fall into a few clear categories:
How do Trump Accounts get set up?
Who can fund them, and how much can be contributed?
What makes them different from traditional or Roth IRAs?
And most importantly—are they really worth it?
What’s driving so much interest is that these accounts can be a tremendous long-term wealth-building opportunity for children and grandchildren. Unlike traditional or Roth IRAs, which require earned income to contribute, Trump Accounts allow up to $5,000 per year in contributions even if the child has no income at all. That creates decades of potential tax-deferred compounding.
That said, Trump Accounts also come with a unique set of rules, especially while the account owner is a minor. In this article, we’ll break down how Trump Accounts work, how they’re funded, how they interact with other retirement accounts, and where the real planning opportunities—and responsibilities—exist.
What Is a Trump Account?
A Trump Account is a new type of retirement account designed specifically for minors, created as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025. Conceptually, it is built on the framework of a traditional IRA, but with special rules that apply from birth through age 17.
The goal of these accounts is simple: to jump-start retirement savings as early as possible, even before a child has their first job.
Contribution Limits and Funding Rules
Annual Contribution Limits
Total annual contributions are limited to $5,000 per year
Of that amount, up to $2,500 may come from an employer
These limits apply beginning in 2026 and will be indexed for inflation in future years
Who Can Contribute?
Trump Accounts can receive contributions from several sources:
Parents, grandparents, or other individuals (after-tax)
Employers (pre-tax)
Government or charitable entities (pre-tax)
A one-time $1,000 federal government contribution for eligible children
Importantly, individual contributions are made with after-tax dollars, meaning they create “basis” in the account, while employer and government contributions are pre-tax.
The $1,000 Government Contribution
As part of a pilot program, the federal government will contribute $1,000 to a Trump Account for children born between 2025 and 2028, provided the parent or guardian opts in.
Key points:
The contribution is pre-tax
It does not count toward the $5,000 annual limit
Parents must actively elect the contribution—it is not automatic
This is essentially “free money,” and for many families, that alone may justify opening the account.
How Trump Accounts Can Be Invested
Trump Accounts have very strict investment rules:
Accounts must be established with initial trustees selected by the U.S. Treasury
Individuals may have only one Trump Account
Investments are limited to unleveraged mutual funds or ETFs
The investments must track a qualified index of primarily U.S. equities
Holding cash is virtually not allowed
Total investment fees cannot exceed 0.10%
At this time, the list of approved custodians has not yet been released, and is expected sometime in 2026.
How and When Trump Accounts Are Set Up
Trump Accounts cannot be opened with a traditional custodian yet.
Here’s what we know about the setup process:
Accounts become operational starting July 4, 2026
All accounts must initially be opened using U.S. Treasury–approved trustees
A new IRS Form 4547 and an online application at trumpaccounts.gov are expected to launch in mid-2026
To establish the accounts Form 4547 or the special application can be submitted prior to the July 4, 2026 program launch date
That same process will be used to request the $1,000 government contribution
Once established, families can begin making annual contributions.
Special Rule for Working Minors
One of the most powerful planning features applies to minors who do have earned income.
If a child earns income:
They can contribute to a Trump Account
They can also contribute to a traditional IRA or Roth IRA
The contribution limits do not reduce or affect one another
In other words, a working minor can fund both account types in the same year, creating even more long-term compounding potential.
Roth Conversion Opportunity After Age 18
Once the account owner turns 18, Trump Accounts largely revert to standard traditional IRA rules.
This is where advanced planning opportunities emerge:
It can then be converted to a Roth IRA
Once converted, future growth and qualified withdrawals may be tax-free
However, there’s an important catch.
Tracking Basis Is Critical
Individual contributions were made with after-tax dollars
Employer and government contributions are pre-tax
Investment growth is pre-tax
This creates a mixed-tax account, requiring careful basis tracking over time. If records aren’t maintained, the IRS may treat withdrawals as fully taxable.
Beware of Kiddie Tax: Roth conversions trigger a taxable event for any pre-tax contributions or earnings held within the Trump Account. Conversions and distributions from IRAs are considered unearned income of the minor child, which can trigger the Kiddie tax, making the taxable distribution amount subject to tax at the parent’s tax rate instead of the child’s.
Employer Contributions Are Allowed
Employers are permitted to contribute to Trump Accounts:
Contributions are pre-tax
They may be made for the employee or the employee’s dependent child
Employer contributions count toward the $5,000 annual limit (up to $2,500)
This opens the door for unique employer-based benefits and planning strategies.
How Trump Account Distributions Work After Age 18
Once a child reaches age 18, Trump Accounts undergo an important transition. While these accounts are designed for minors, the distribution rules after age 18 closely resemble those of a traditional IRA, which introduces both flexibility and responsibility.
Understanding how distributions work at this stage is critical, because mistakes can create unnecessary taxes or penalties.
No Distributions Before Age 18
First, it’s important to note that Trump Accounts do not allow distributions prior to age 18. Until then, the account is strictly a long-term retirement vehicle.
Once the account owner reaches the year they turn 18, distributions become available—but that does not mean they are penalty-free.
Traditional IRA Rules Apply After Age 18
Beginning in the year the child turns 18, the Trump Account is treated much like a traditional IRA for tax purposes. That means:
Distributions are generally taxable
Early withdrawals may be subject to a 10% penalty
The account follows pro-rata taxation rules if it contains both after-tax and pre-tax money
How Distributions Are Taxed
Trump Accounts typically hold two types of money:
After-tax contributions (from parents, grandparents, or others)
Pre-tax dollars, which include:
Employer contributions
Government contributions (including the $1,000 pilot contribution)
All investment growth
When a distribution is taken, the IRS does not allow the account owner to choose which dollars come out. Instead, each withdrawal is treated as a proportional mix of taxable and non-taxable funds.
Example (Simplified)
If 25% of the account consists of after-tax contributions, then:
25% of any distribution is tax-free
75% is taxable as ordinary income
This makes accurate recordkeeping essential, since the after-tax portion (known as “basis”) must be documented to avoid overpaying taxes.
Early Withdrawal Penalties Still Apply
Although distributions are allowed after age 18, they are not automatically penalty-free.
Withdrawals before age 59½ generally incur a 10% early withdrawal penalty
Certain exceptions may apply, such as:
Qualified higher education expenses
Limited first-time home purchase expenses
Certain structured payment arrangements
Absent one of these exceptions, both income taxes and penalties may apply.
Rollovers and Roth Conversions Instead of Distributions
Rather than taking cash distributions, many families will focus on rollovers and Roth conversions, which are allowed once the account owner turns 18.
At that point:
The Trump Account can be rolled into a traditional IRA
It may then be converted to a Roth IRA
A Roth conversion is taxable on the pre-tax portion of the account, but once completed, future growth and qualified withdrawals can be tax-free.
This strategy can be especially powerful if conversions are done during low-income years, though taxes still must be paid—ideally using funds outside the account to avoid penalties.
Final Thoughts
Trump Accounts represent a powerful but complex planning tool. For families focused on long-term retirement wealth for children or grandchildren, they offer an early start that was never possible before. However, the rules around taxation, investment limitations, and recordkeeping mean these accounts should be used strategically, not blindly.
As always, thoughtful planning—and understanding how these accounts fit into the bigger financial picture—makes all the difference.
About Michael……...
Hi, I’m Michael Ruger. I’m the managing partner of Greenbush Financial Group and the creator of the nationally recognized Money Smart Board blog . I created the blog because there are a lot of events in life that require important financial decisions. The goal is to help our readers avoid big financial missteps, discover financial solutions that they were not aware of, and to optimize their financial future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Do children need earned income to have a Trump Account?
No. Earned income is not required.
2. Are contributions tax-deductible?
Individual contributions are not deductible. Employer and government contributions are pre-tax.
3. Can grandparents contribute?
Yes, as long as total annual limits are respected.
4. Can a child have more than one Trump Account?
No. Only one account per individual is allowed.
5. When can withdrawals be taken?
Distributions follow traditional IRA rules and generally are penalty-free after age 59½.
6. Are Roth conversions allowed?
Yes, starting at age 18 once the account follows IRA rules.
7. Are these accounts required to invest in stocks?
Yes. Investments must track qualified U.S. equity indexes.
8. Is the $1,000 government contribution automatic?
No. Parents must opt in using the IRS process.
Can You Give Money to Your Grandkids Tax-Free? Here’s What the IRS Says
The IRS allows grandparents to give up to $19,000 per grandchild in 2025 without filing a gift tax return, and up to $13.99 million over their lifetime before any tax applies. Gifts are rarely taxable for recipients — but understanding Form 709, 529 plan rules, and tuition exemptions can help families transfer wealth efficiently and avoid IRS issues.
Many grandparents want to help their grandchildren financially—whether it’s for education, a first home, or simply to transfer wealth during their lifetime. But the question often arises: will my grandkids owe taxes on those gifts? In most cases, the answer is no—the recipient of a gift doesn’t pay taxes. Instead, the giver may need to file a gift tax return if the gift exceeds the annual exclusion amount. Here’s how the IRS actually handles gifts to grandchildren, what forms apply, and how to avoid unnecessary taxes or filing headaches.
Who Pays the Tax on a Gift?
Under IRS rules, the person making the gift (the donor) is responsible for any gift tax—not the person receiving it. This means if a grandparent gives money, investments, or property to a grandchild, the child typically doesn’t report or owe anything.
However, there are thresholds to know:
Annual gift tax exclusion (2025): $19,000 per recipient
Lifetime gift and estate tax exemption (2025): $13.99 million per person
If a grandparent gives less than $19,000 to any one grandchild during the year, no filing or tax applies. Gifts above that limit simply require Form 709, but gift tax is only owed once total lifetime gifts exceed the $13.99 million exemption.
Studies show that fewer than 1% of Americans ever owe gift tax—most gifts fall well below these thresholds.
What Counts as a Gift
The IRS defines a gift as any transfer where full value isn’t received in return. Common examples include:
Cash gifts or checks
Paying a grandchild’s tuition or medical bills directly
Contributing to a 529 plan
Transferring stocks or real estate below market value
Tuition and Medical Exceptions
Certain payments don’t count toward the annual gift limit if you pay the institution directly:
Tuition paid straight to a college or private school
Medical expenses paid directly to a hospital or provider
These payments are excluded from both the annual and lifetime gift limits, making them powerful estate-planning tools for grandparents who want to help without triggering IRS reporting.
Gifting Through a 529 Plan
A popular way to help grandchildren is through 529 college savings plans. Contributions are treated as gifts for tax purposes, but there’s a special election that allows grandparents to “front-load” five years’ worth of annual exclusions.
In 2025, you can contribute up to $95,000 per grandchild ($19,000 × 5) without using any lifetime exemption.
Married couples can jointly contribute up to $190,000 per grandchild with the same rule.
This allows for significant education funding while keeping assets out of the grandparent’s taxable estate.
What the IRS Actually Looks At
When reviewing gifts, the IRS primarily focuses on:
Value and documentation – was the transfer properly valued and recorded?
Ownership control – did the grandparent truly give up control of the asset?
Direct vs. indirect payments – paying tuition directly to a school is excluded; writing a check to the grandchild is not.
Cumulative totals – large gifts across multiple years can push a donor closer to their lifetime exemption.
It’s rare for the IRS to flag or audit small gifts, but clear documentation and Form 709 filings for larger transfers help prevent confusion or estate complications later.
Tax-Free Ways to Support Grandkids
There are several strategies to help grandchildren financially without ever triggering gift tax concerns:
Pay tuition or medical bills directly to the provider
Make annual $19,000 gifts to as many recipients as desired
Fund 529 plans using the 5-year front-loading rule
Use custodial accounts (UGMA/UTMA) for small transfers
Contribute to Roth IRAs for working grandchildren (earned income required)
Each of these options lets you transfer wealth efficiently while minimizing tax reporting.
When a Gift Tax Return Is Required
A federal gift tax return (Form 709) is required when:
You give more than $19,000 to one individual in a single year (2025 limit)
You give property or assets that exceed the annual limit in fair market value
You elect to spread a 529 plan contribution over five years
Filing doesn’t mean you owe tax—it simply allows the IRS to track your lifetime exemption usage. Most taxpayers never actually pay gift tax; they only report it for record-keeping purposes.
FAQs: Gifting to Grandchildren
Q: Do my grandchildren have to report a cash gift on their tax return?
A: No. Gifts are not considered taxable income to the recipient and don’t need to be reported.
Q: How much can I give my grandchild without filing a gift tax return?
A: You can give up to $19,000 per grandchild in 2025 without any filing requirement.
Q: What happens if I exceed the $19,000 limit?
A: You’ll file Form 709, but you likely won’t owe any gift tax unless you’ve already used your $13.99 million lifetime exemption.
Q: Do 529 plan contributions count as gifts?
A: Yes, but you can elect to treat large contributions as if they were made evenly over five years to stay within the annual exclusion limits.
Q: Can I pay my grandchild’s college tuition tax-free?
A: Yes, as long as the payment goes directly to the educational institution, it doesn’t count toward the annual exclusion.
Rob Mangold
About Rob……...
Hi, I’m Rob Mangold. I’m the Chief Operating Officer at Greenbush Financial Group and a contributor to the Money Smart Board blog. We created the blog to provide strategies that will help our readers personally, professionally, and financially. Our blog is meant to be a resource. If there are questions that you need answered, please feel free to join in on the discussion or contact me directly.
