How to Open a Trump Account on IRS.gov

Look, Trump accounts are new, and most parents we talk to are not sure if they are real, who qualifies, or how to actually get one. So here is the simple version.

A Trump account is a long-term investment account for a child, created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (the law signed July 4, 2025). The IRS now lets you open one online, and the process is fast. As of March 31, 2026, about 4 million kids were already signed up.

This guide is the how-to. If you want the full breakdown of what a Trump account is, how it is taxed, and how it compares to a 529, read our Trump accounts explained guide. This page is about getting one open.

#What you need before you start

You do not need much. Gather these three things and you can finish in one sitting.

#Your ID.me login

The IRS uses ID.me to confirm who you are. If you already have an IRS online account, you already have this. If not, our step-by-step ID.me setup guide walks you through it in a few minutes. Your name has to match what the IRS has on file, so use your legal name. A separate email address is fine.

#Your child’s basic info

You will enter the child’s Social Security number, date of birth, and address. That is it. If you are signed in to your IRS account, a lot of your own information fills in automatically, which is why it goes so fast.

#About 5 minutes and no money

There is no fee to open a Trump account and no fee to keep it. That is rare for an investment account, and it is a nice change. You do not need to fund anything today either. You are just opening the account and, if your child qualifies, claiming the $1,000.

#How to open a Trump account on IRS.gov

Here is the whole thing, click by click. The hard part is not filling out the form. It is finding it, because the IRS site is not the easiest to navigate. We opened one ourselves, so here is exactly where to click, in order.

#You can also file it with your tax return

If your child was born in 2025, you can also claim the account and the $1,000 by filing Form 4547 with your 2025 tax return instead of doing it online. Both paths work. The online portal is just faster.

#How to claim the $1,000

The $1,000 is a one-time deposit from the government. Not every child gets it, but opening the account is the same either way.

#Who qualifies for the $1,000

To get the $1,000 seed, your child must:

• Be born January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2028 (four birth years)
• Be a U.S. citizen with a valid Social Security number
• Not have had this $1,000 claimed for them already by someone else

That is the whole list. There is no income limit on you or the child.

#When the $1,000 shows up

The money does not hit the account the day you apply. The Treasury begins depositing the $1,000 on July 4, 2026 into accounts that are already enrolled. So if you want the deposit, the move is to get enrolled now and let the funding catch up.

#What happens after you apply

This is the part that trips people up, so here is what to expect.

#No confirmation email

The IRS does not send a confirmation email when you apply. That is normal. Do not sit waiting for one. You check your status on the portal whenever you want to see where things stand.

#Approval is fast

In our own test, we applied on a Friday and the account was approved by Monday. Approval usually takes a couple of business days. That is a lot faster than most government paperwork. With 4 million kids already signed up, the system is clearly built to move.

#What you can see once you are in

Once your account is approved, there is more inside than just a balance. When we logged into ours, we found:

• Basic education on how the account works, in plain terms
• A “What’s next” view that walks you through the next steps
• An estimated balance projection to age 18, so you can see what, say, $100 a month could grow into by the time your child turns 18
• Hands-off investing — the money is managed for you in low-cost U.S. index funds, so there is nothing to pick or trade
• A status tracker so you always know where things stand

#Then funding begins July 4

Once you are approved and enrolled, the account is ready. Contributions and the $1,000 deposits begin July 4, 2026. The money grows over time until your child turns 18. After that date, you can log in to track your $1,000 and your balance as it grows.

#What’s next: setting up and tracking your account

Applying is step one. In a couple of business days you get access to the account itself. That is where you set your contributions, watch the $1,000 land, and follow the balance. We are putting together a follow-up guide that walks through setting up and tracking your account once your access arrives, so check back for it.

#What if your child was born before 2025

This is a common question, and the answer is good news. Your child can still have a Trump account even if they do not qualify for the $1,000.

The $1,000 seed is only for kids born 2025 through 2028. But the account itself is open to any U.S. citizen child under 18 with a Social Security number. So if your older kids do not get the free money, you can still open accounts for them and contribute up to $5,000 a year.

Just so you know, we opened one for our own child who was born before the cutoff. No $1,000, but the account is a clean, low-cost way to invest for them. The free money is a bonus, not the whole point.

#Common questions

Where do I actually open a Trump account? On IRS.gov. Sign in with ID.me, go to the Forms section, and open the Trump Accounts entry (it has its own slot on the forms page). Click Begin Form, check your prefilled info, add your child’s details, and submit. It takes about 5 minutes.

How much does it cost to open one? Nothing. There is no fee to open a Trump account and no fee to keep it.

How long does approval take? Fast. When we opened one ourselves, we applied on a Friday and it was approved by Monday. There is no confirmation email, so check your status on the portal.

Who gets the $1,000? Children born January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2028 who are U.S. citizens with a valid Social Security number. The deposits begin July 4, 2026.

Can I open one if my child was born before 2025? Yes. Your child will not get the $1,000, but you can still open the account and contribute up to $5,000 a year.

How much can I put in each year? Up to $5,000 per year for the child for 2026 and 2027, from you or anyone else. The $1,000 government seed does not count against that limit.

Do I have to put money in right away? No. You can open the account now and fund it later. Contributions begin July 4, 2026.

What can the money be used for? The money stays invested until your child turns 18. After that, it follows regular retirement-account rules. We cover how withdrawals and taxes work in our Trump accounts explained guide.

Is this the same as a 529 plan? No. A Trump account and a 529 are taxed differently and used for different things. Many families use both. Our Trump accounts explained guide breaks down the difference.

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Just so you know, the application really does take about 5 minutes, so if you have a few minutes and your child’s Social Security number handy, you can knock it out today. If your child was born in 2025 or later, getting enrolled now is what lines you up for the $1,000 on July 4.

If you want help fitting a Trump account into the rest of your family’s plan, alongside a 529, the Child Tax Credit, and your other moves, book a 15-minute Tax Discovery. Google Meet, no pitch, free advice either way.