10/10/2026
Here's where the two accounts part ways, starting with who's in control. Trump Accounts are opened for a child, and the money stays locked up until January 1 of the year they turn 18. After that, it works like a traditional individual retirement account. The IRS in 2026 clarified that family, friends, and employers can contribute up to $5,000 per child per year, with employers capped at $2,500 of that.
A 529 runs on different rules. There's no federal cap on yearly contributions, though each state sets its own lifetime limit. The IRS says that a parent can contribute up to $19,000 per year ($38,000 for a couple) without any gift tax paperwork. Money can be withdrawn at any time for qualified education costs, and the earnings are exempt from federal tax.
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