Trump Accounts: What They Are and How to Claim Your Child's $1,000
if your child was born in 2025 or later, you can claim $1,000 for your child to be deposited in an account for them. Here is everything you need to know to get up to speed on Trump Accounts.
If you’ve heard the term “Trump Account” and weren’t sure whether it applied to you, here’s the simple version: if your child was born in 2025 or later, the government will put $1,000 into an investment account for them, for free. You don’t pay it back, and you don’t have to add any money of your own.
The one catch is that it isn’t automatic. You have to claim it. The good news is that claiming it takes just a few minutes, and this guide walks you through every step.
First, is my child eligible?
The free $1,000 deposit is for children who:
- Were born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028
- Are U.S. citizens
- Have a Social Security number
If your child fits all three, the $1,000 is waiting for you to claim. Here’s exactly how to do it.
Step 1: Fill out Form 4547
This is the form that tells the government to set up your child’s account and send the $1,000.
You can complete it online in a few minutes at https://www.irs.gov/trumpaccounts. You only need to do this once per child, and only one parent needs to do it.
Step 2: Download the official app
Once you’ve submitted the form, download the official Trump Accounts app, available through trumpaccounts.gov on the App Store or Google Play. This app is how you’ll manage the account, see the $1,000 once it arrives, and check on it over time.
Be sure to use the official app linked from the government site, not a look-alike. When in doubt, start at trumpaccounts.gov and follow the download links there.
Step 3: Wait for your invite
After you’ve filed the form and downloaded the app, there’s nothing left to do but wait. Invites are going out over the coming weeks, and the accounts officially launch on July 4, 2026. Once everything is processed, you’ll see your child’s $1,000 in the app.
That’s it. Three steps, and you’ve secured $1,000 for your child.
What happens to the money?
The $1,000 is invested in a fund that tracks the U.S. stock market, and it grows on its own until your child turns 18. You don’t have to pick investments or watch the market—it runs in the background. By law the fees are kept very low, so nearly all the growth stays with your child.
The account is fully in your child’s name, and you are the sole custodian until they turn 18. Contributing more is completely optional. You can add up to $5,000 a year if you ever want to, but you don’t need to add a single dollar to get and keep the $1,000.
When your child turns 18, the account becomes theirs to use, with the tax advantages of a retirement account. That’s a decision for years down the road. For now, the only thing that matters is claiming what’s available today.
The bottom line
If your child was born in 2025 or later, this is about as close to free money as you’ll find, and claiming it couldn’t be much easier. The only way to miss out is to do nothing.
So take the first step right now: head to form.trumpaccounts.gov and fill out Form 4547. Your child’s future self will thank you.