When can I open a Trump Account?
Contributions to Trump Accounts begin July 4, 2026. The accounts were created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA, P.L. 119-21), signed into law on July 4, 2025. You can open an account via IRS Form 4547 or through trumpaccounts.gov starting on the contribution effective date.
How much can I contribute to a Trump Account each year?
The annual contribution limit is $5,000 per beneficiary. This cap applies across all contribution sources combined: your individual after-tax contributions, employer Section 128 contributions (up to $2,500), Section 6434 pilot program funds, qualified general contributions from charities or states, and qualified rollovers. The $5,000 limit will be indexed for inflation starting in 2028.
Who qualifies as a beneficiary for a Trump Account?
The beneficiary must be under age 18 and must have a valid Social Security Number (SSN). There is no income limit or phase-out for the contributing family. Any child meeting these two requirements is eligible regardless of household income.
Who is the Authorized Individual on a Trump Account?
The Authorized Individual is the person who controls the account during the Growth Period. The priority order established by Section 530A is: legal guardian, then parent, then adult sibling, then grandparent. Control transfers irrevocably from the Authorized Individual to the beneficiary when the child turns 18.
What is the Growth Period and why does it matter?
The Growth Period runs from the date the account is opened until December 31 of the year the child turns 17. During this entire period, no distributions are permitted. There are no exceptions, no hardship withdrawals, and no early access provisions. This is the single most restrictive feature of Trump Accounts compared to 529 plans.
Can I take money out of a Trump Account before the child turns 18?
No. During the Growth Period, distributions are completely prohibited. There are no exceptions for medical emergencies, education expenses, disability, or any other circumstance. This is by statutory design under Section 530A. If you need flexible access to funds for a minor, a 529 plan or custodial brokerage account may be more appropriate.
What happens to a Trump Account when the child turns 18?
At age 18, the Trump Account converts to a Traditional IRA governed by IRC Section 408. Control transfers irrevocably from the Authorized Individual to the now-adult beneficiary. The 18-year-old gains full control over investment decisions and distributions. Standard IRA rules apply from that point forward, including required minimum distributions at the applicable age.
What can a Trump Account invest in?
Trump Accounts are limited to unleveraged U.S. equity index funds and ETFs. No individual stocks, no bonds, no international funds, no leveraged or inverse products, and no alternative investments. Management fees are capped at 0.10% (10 basis points). This is intentionally restrictive to keep costs low and ensure broad market exposure during the Growth Period.
What is the $1,000 government seed contribution?
Under Section 6434, children born between 2025 and 2028 are eligible for a $1,000 government pilot program deposit into their Trump Account. This seed contribution has no tax basis to the beneficiary, meaning it will be fully taxable as ordinary income when eventually distributed from the converted IRA. The pilot program is temporary and applies only to births in those four calendar years.
Can my employer contribute to my child's Trump Account?
Yes. Under Section 128 of the IRC, employers can contribute up to $2,500 per year to an employee's child's Trump Account. These employer contributions are excludable from the employee's gross income for federal purposes and count toward the $5,000 annual cap. This is a pre-tax benefit similar in concept to employer 401(k) matching, though structurally different.
Does New Jersey give a state tax deduction for Trump Account contributions?
No. As of current NJ guidance, New Jersey does not provide a state income tax deduction for Trump Account contributions. NJ historically does not conform to new federal savings vehicles without affirmative legislation. Additionally, employer Section 128 contributions that are excludable federally will likely be subject to NJ Gross Income Tax due to NJ's non-conformity with this new exclusion.
How are Trump Account distributions taxed?
After conversion to a Traditional IRA at age 18, distributions follow standard IRA rules. Non-qualified withdrawals are subject to ordinary income tax plus a 10% early withdrawal penalty on earnings and pre-tax portions. Standard IRA exceptions apply: qualified education expenses, first-time home purchase up to $10,000, unreimbursed medical expenses, disability, and others under IRC Section 72(t). Your individual after-tax contributions maintain their tax basis and are not taxed again upon withdrawal.
Can the beneficiary do a Roth conversion after turning 18?
Yes. Once the Trump Account converts to a Traditional IRA at age 18, the beneficiary can convert some or all of the balance to a Roth IRA. The converted amount is included in gross income for the year of conversion. For an 18-year-old with little or no other income, this can be an extremely tax-efficient strategy since the conversion may fall entirely within the 10% or 12% federal bracket.
How does a Trump Account affect FAFSA?
Trump Accounts are assessed as a student asset on the FAFSA, not a parent asset. Student assets are assessed at a 20% rate, meaning $10,000 in a Trump Account reduces financial aid eligibility by $2,000. By comparison, parent-owned 529 plans are assessed at only 5.64%. This is a significant disadvantage for families relying on need-based financial aid. Consider the FAFSA impact before funding a Trump Account over a 529 plan.
What are the five contribution lanes for Trump Accounts?
Section 530A establishes five distinct contribution sources: (1) Individual after-tax contributions, which maintain tax basis; (2) Employer Section 128 contributions, which are pre-tax with no basis to the employee; (3) Section 6434 government pilot deposits ($1,000 for children born 2025-2028), which carry no basis; (4) Qualified general contributions from charities, states, or other qualified organizations; and (5) Qualified rollovers from other accounts. All five lanes share the $5,000 annual cap.
Should I choose a Trump Account or a 529 plan for college savings?
They serve different purposes. A 529 plan offers tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expenses, with no age restrictions on contributions or distributions. A Trump Account offers long-term equity growth but locks funds until age 18 and converts to a Traditional IRA, not an education-specific vehicle. For college savings specifically, a 529 plan is generally superior. For building long-term retirement wealth starting at birth, a Trump Account has unique advantages. Many families will benefit from funding both.
How does NJ track basis on Trump Account distributions?
NJ will need to issue specific guidance on basis tracking for Trump Account distributions. Historically, NJ tracks 'previously taxed contributions' as basis for IRA distributions on Schedule NJ-1040, Line 20a/20b. Your individual after-tax contributions will likely constitute NJ basis since they were made with after-tax dollars. However, employer Section 128 contributions (which may be NJ-taxable due to non-conformity) and Section 6434 pilot deposits will require separate tracking. I recommend maintaining detailed records of every contribution by source from day one.
What happens if I contribute more than $5,000 in a year?
Excess contributions to a Trump Account are subject to a 6% excise tax per year until corrected, similar to excess IRA contributions under IRC Section 4973. The excess must be withdrawn along with any earnings attributable to it. Careful tracking across all five contribution lanes is essential, especially when both individual and employer contributions are being made to the same account.