There are two ways to open a Trump Account for your child. One is available right now. The other opens in mid-2026. Here's how each one works.
Option 1: File IRS Form 4547 With Your 2025 Tax Return
The fastest way to secure your child's account and the $1,000 government seed (if they qualify) is to file IRS Form 4547 with your 2025 federal tax return by April 15, 2026.
This is the method the IRS set up for the initial rollout of the program. You're not opening a brokerage account on April 15. You're filing the form that designates your child for the program. The U.S. Treasury handles the rest, and the account officially opens on July 5, 2026.
Download the form at IRS.gov. Your tax preparer can also include it if you're working with one.
Option 2: Use the Online Portal at trumpaccounts.gov
If you miss the April 15 deadline, or prefer to wait, the official online portal at trumpaccounts.gov opens in mid-2026. You can apply directly through the website without needing to file a tax form.
Children born before 2025 can open an account this way too, even if they don't qualify for the $1,000 seed. For a refresher on who qualifies for what, check the full eligibility breakdown.
Who Can Open the Account?
A parent, guardian, grandparent, or other authorized adult serves as the custodian of the account until the child turns 18. You manage contributions and oversee the account on the child's behalf.
The child must have a valid Social Security Number to open an account. If your newborn doesn't have one yet, you'll need that before you can apply.
What Happens After You Apply
Once the account is opened (July 5, 2026 for the initial round), the government deposits the $1,000 seed for eligible children. The money is invested in a low-cost U.S. equity index fund managed by the Treasury.
From there, you can start making contributions up to $5,000 per year from all sources combined. Family members, grandparents, and even employers can contribute.
You can also eventually roll the account into a participating financial institution once that option becomes available. Grifin will be offering a rollover option. Learn more at grifin.com/invest-america.
Should You File Before April 15 or Wait?
If your child was born between 2025 and 2028 and qualifies for the $1,000 seed, filing before April 15 locks that in through the tax return process. Waiting isn't disqualifying, but filing now is the more straightforward path.
If your child was born before 2025 and doesn't qualify for the seed, there's less urgency, but opening the account through either method still gives them access to a tax-deferred investment account with up to $5,000/year in contributions.
For a step-by-step walkthrough of the whole process, including what documents you'll need, see the full guide to opening a Trump Account.
Not sure if your child qualifies? Take the 30-second quiz at investamericaquiz.com.
Have more questions? Here's every question people are asking about Trump Accounts in one place.
This post is for educational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or investment advice. Grifin is not affiliated with the U.S. government or the Invest America program.
