Summary
Good news, registration is now live! We have received a ton of questions on this and have promised to keep you up to date as Treasury rolls this out.
Please see our prior KB on the detailed strategy behind these.
Trump Accounts are a new child-focused, IRA-based account framework intended to support long-term investing for children. The rules are distinct from 529 plans and UTMAs, especially during the child’s restricted period before age 18.
If you want to open one, start at the official program website, trumpaccounts.gov, and follow the online registration workflow there.
Key dates and current program status as of February 2026
Program launch timing
Current program messaging indicates a launch date of July 5, 2026. You can NOW register for the program!
Pilot program deposit timing
For children who qualify for the one-time $1,000 Treasury pilot contribution, guidance indicates the pilot deposit will not be made earlier than July 4, 2026.
Activation and authentication timing
After an election is submitted, Treasury or its agent is expected to begin sending authorized individuals the information needed to authenticate and activate the account beginning in May 2026. In practice, expect identity verification steps and follow-up instructions from the program or a trustee.
Eligibility basics refresher
Child requirements
In general, the child must be under age 18 under the program’s year-end rules and have a valid Social Security number.
We are hearing a lot of bad takes online here. Your child does NOT have to be born in 2025-2028 to qualify for the program. That is ONLY for the $1,000 government deposit.
Pilot program requirements for the $1,000 Treasury contribution
The pilot program has additional requirements. The child must be born in 2025 through 2028, be a U.S. citizen, have a valid Social Security number, and the authorized individual must anticipate the child will be their qualifying child for the election year.
Authorized individual rules
The program distinguishes who can submit an election. For the pilot program, the authorized individual must anticipate the child will be their qualifying child for that year. For a standard account election, the program contemplates a priority order of authorized individuals, which generally includes a legal guardian or parent.
How to register online using the new website
We encourage clients who want to establish an account to use the official online workflow at trumpaccounts.gov.
What to gather before you start on the site
For the authorized individual:
- Full legal name
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Phone number, email, and mailing address
For the child:
- Full legal name
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Relationship to the authorized individual
- Address, if different from the authorized individual
You will also need to decide whether you are making a pilot election for the $1,000 Treasury contribution, if the child is eligible (2025 to 2028 DOB).
What happens after submission
After you complete the online submission, expect follow-up steps to be emailed to you.
The process is not submit and done.
There is typically an authentication and activation process, and the account must be held with a trustee. Watch for official communications about next steps.
Contribution, investment, and distribution rules to understand
Contribution limits during the restricted period
During the child’s restricted period, most contributions are subject to an annual limit of $5,000, with cost-of-living adjustments expected to begin after 2027.
The $1,000 pilot program contribution is separate and is not treated the same as a normal annual contribution for limit purposes.
Employer contributions and business owner planning
There is a concept of employer contributions tied to this program, generally limited to $2,500 during the restricted period, with cost-of-living adjustments expected to begin after 2027.
See our previous guide for additional in depth strategy here.
Investment restrictions and trustee requirement
During the restricted period, investment choices are limited. The rules generally point toward diversified, index-based investments that track an index of primarily U.S. companies. You do not have unlimited investment choice during this period, which is a major difference from many custodial brokerage setups.
All accounts must have a trustee.
This is not a self-directed account you can open anywhere without trustee compliance.
What else to consider before opening an account
Coordinate with your overall child savings strategy
Trump Accounts are not necessarily a replacement for 529 plans, UTMAs, or other family wealth strategies. For many households, the best answer is a coordinated plan rather than choosing one vehicle in isolation.
Expect administrative friction...Ugh!
Because the account involves government election steps, trustees, and activation, expect more paperwork and verification than a typical brokerage account.
Expect evolving guidance from the Treasury
This is a new program. We expect additional regulations and administrative details to be released between now and the July 2026 rollout, and potentially thereafter.
How Anomaly can help
If you are considering a Trump Account, we can help you:
- Confirm eligibility, including pilot program eligibility and qualifying child considerations
- Coordinate your child savings plan across 529 plans, custodial accounts, and this program
- Evaluate employer contribution options if you are a business owner considering this as a benefit during your 2026 Planning Sessions
For clients who want to proceed with registration, start at trumpaccounts.gov and follow the official online registration process. Questions? Email your Tax PM!