IRS reports 4 million children enrolled in ‘Trump Accounts’ as $1,000 pilot expands

The Internal Revenue Service says more than four million children have been signed up for newly introduced ‘Trump Accounts,’ with around one million already receiving or qualifying for a $1,000 government-funded contribution under a pilot program.

The figures reveal a strong initial response to the tax-advantaged savings initiative, which aims to help families build long-term investment assets for children through a combination of federal seed funding and ongoing private contributions.

Under the pilot, eligible children can receive a one-time deposit provided an account is properly established and required elections are made. As the IRS noted, “a $1,000 pilot program contribution may be made to the Trump account of a child eligible to receive the $1,000 pilot program contribution even if the child does not have includible income.”

At the same time the agency emphasized that participation is not automatic. “A child who does not have a Trump account for any reason will not receive a $1,000 pilot program contribution, even if such child is otherwise eligible,” the IRS said.

The accounts were created under legislation enacted in 2025 and are available to US citizen children under age 18. The initial federal contribution is targeted at children born between 2025 and 2028.

While the government-funded portion is limited, families, employers, and others can continue contributing to the accounts over time, subject to annual caps. The structure resembles long-term investment vehicles, with funds typically invested in market-based portfolios and held until the beneficiary reaches adulthood.

The IRS indicated that contributions and participation are expected to continue building through 2026 as more families complete the enrollment process.

The early uptake points to growing interest in programs designed to establish investment accounts at birth, giving savings more time to compound through market exposure and additional contributions over time.