US President Donald Trump during the Trump Accounts Launch Summit on Jan. 28, 2026. Photo by Valerie Plesch | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Deadline for Trump Account Contributions

As we approach the year-end, remember that the last chance to make Trump Account contributions for 2026 is Dec. 31. This deadline applies both to individuals and employers offering Trump Account benefits through direct contributions or paycheck deferrals. It’s important to review your benefits and avoid overfunding, which can lead to a 6% yearly penalty on excess contributions.

What are Trump Accounts?

Introduced on July 4, Trump Accounts or 530A accounts are a unique tax-deferred investment option designed to aid children in building wealth. For 2026, the Trump Account contribution limit is $5,000, including contributions from family, employers, and others. This limit excludes the $1,000 seed money from the Treasury Department for children born between 2025 and 2028, and philanthropic gifts such as the Dell Foundation’s $250 grants.

How Trump Account Employer Contributions Work

Employers can contribute to Trump Accounts in two ways. They can either contribute up to $2,500 per employee, which doesn’t count as the employee’s income, or they can set up a program for pre-tax employee deferrals. These guidelines apply to businesses of all sizes. According to a Treasury spokeswoman, “Trump Accounts give small businesses a new, low-cost, tax-preferred benefit they can use to attract and keep workers.”

Trump Account Rules for Self-Employed Owners

A common query is whether a self-employed person can set up a Trump Account for their child and make employer contributions. Unfortunately, the answer is no. According to the proposed regulations, Trump Account contributions won’t be excluded from income for an “owner-employee”. This includes sole proprietors, partners, or anyone who owns more than 2% of an S corporation.