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Trump Accounts for Children: Key Rules and Details
The Trump Account is a new tax-advantaged savings vehicle designed to help build wealth for children from an early age. Below are the main eligibility rules, contribution limits, setup process, and withdrawal guidelines based on current law (as of tax year 2025–2026).
Eligibility Requirements
To establish a Trump Account for a child, the following must be met:
- The child must be a U.S. citizen with a valid Social Security number.
- The child must be under age 18 at the end of the calendar year in which the election to establish the account is made.
- Only one Trump Account is permitted per child.
Pilot Program Contribution
Children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, are eligible for a one-time $1,000 contribution from the U.S. Treasury Department.
- This pilot contribution is deposited automatically upon election.
- It is invested in an index fund.
- It does not count toward annual contribution limits.
Children born outside this period but still under 18 may have an account established without the $1,000 seed funding.
Contribution Limits
- Annual contributions from individuals (parents, grandparents, friends, etc.) and employers are limited to $5,000 per year (post-tax dollars).
- Employer contributions are capped at $2,500 per year and count toward the $5,000 total.
- Employer contributions are excluded from the employee's taxable income.
- The annual limit will be adjusted for inflation starting in 2028.
- The government's $1,000 pilot contribution (where applicable) is separate and does not reduce the $5,000 limit.
How to Establish an Account
- File IRS Form 4547 (Trump Account Election) to make the election and, if eligible, request the pilot contribution.
- The form can be submitted with a federal tax return or electronically via IRS-approved systems.
- The program launched on July 5, 2026.
- Upon election, a designated financial institution will activate the account and receive funds.
- The parent or guardian serves as custodian until the child reaches age 18, at which point the account converts to standard traditional IRA rules under the child's control.
Withdrawals and Distributions
- Withdrawals are generally not permitted before age 18, except in limited circumstances (such as disability or other IRS-approved exceptions).
- After age 18, distributions follow traditional IRA rules and may be used for purposes such as:
- Education expenses
- First-home purchase
- Business startup
- Retirement
Always check the latest IRS guidance and Form 4547 instructions on IRS.gov, as rules and limits may be updated or clarified over time.
No Tax on Overtime
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduced a new federal tax provision often referred to as "No Tax on Overtime". This is the main change related to overtime work.
It does not change overtime pay rules themselves (such as how overtime is calculated, eligibility under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), or requirements to pay time-and-a-half for hours over 40 in a workweek). Instead, it provides a temporary federal income tax deduction for a portion of qualified overtime pay.
Key Details on the New Overtime Provision
- Effective period: Applies to tax years 2025 through 2028
- What qualifies: Only the premium portion ("half" of "time-and-a-half") of overtime pay required under the federal FLSA (for hours worked over 40 in a workweek).
- Example: If your regular rate is $20/hour, overtime rate is $30/hour → only the extra $10/hour (the premium) qualifies for the deduction. The full overtime pay is still reported as income, but you can deduct the premium part.
- Excludes: State-required overtime (e.g., daily overtime in some states), contractual overtime beyond FLSA requirements, voluntary overtime, or other bonuses.
Deduction Limits
- Up to $12,500 per year for single filers (or $25,000 for married filing jointly).
- Phases out for higher earners: Begins reducing above modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $150,000 (single) or $300,000 (joint), typically by $100 for every $1,000 over the threshold.
Who Can Claim It
- Non-exempt (hourly/FLSA-eligible) workers who receive qualified overtime.
- Available as an above-the-line deduction (even if you don't itemize).
- Requires a valid Social Security Number; married individuals generally must file jointly.
How It's Claimed
Employees deduct it on their federal tax return. Overtime remains subject to withholding, FICA (Social Security/Medicare), and is fully reported as income initially.
Changes for Employers and Reporting
- 2025: Transitional year — employers were not strictly required to separately report qualified overtime on Form W-2 (IRS provided relief from penalties), but they often needed to provide statements or calculations for employees to claim the deduction.
- 2026 and later: Employers must separately report qualified overtime compensation on Form W-2 (and certain 1099 forms), making it easier for workers to claim the deduction accurately. Payroll systems have been updating to track and distinguish the premium portion.
This provision aims to provide tax relief to hourly workers who put in extra hours, similar to the related "No Tax on Tips" deduction in the same bill.
For the most accurate personal advice, check IRS guidance (e.g., their FAQs or notices like Notice 2025-69) or consult a tax professional, as details can depend on individual circumstances.
GREAT NEWS! Bonus Depreciation Restored and Made Permanent
Bonus depreciation (also known as the additional first-year depreciation deduction under IRC Section 168(k)) allows businesses to deduct a large portion (or all) of the cost of qualifying property in the year it is placed in service, rather than spreading it over the asset's normal recovery period via regular MACRS depreciation.
The rules changed significantly with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in 2017 and then with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025.
Old Rules (Pre-OBBBA / TCJA Phaseout Schedule)
Under the TCJA (originally effective 2018–2022), bonus depreciation was 100% for qualifying property placed in service after September 27, 2017. It then phased down by 20% each year:
- 2022: 100%
- 2023: 80%
- 2024: 60%
- 2025: 40% (or 60% for certain long-production-period property or aircraft)
- 2026: 20%
- 2027 and later: 0% (fully phased out)
Property had to be acquired and placed in service before certain deadlines (generally before 2027 for most property). This phaseout reduced the incentive for new investments over time.
New Rules (Under OBBBA, Effective 2025+)
The OBBBA permanently restored and expanded 100% bonus depreciation to encourage business investment, manufacturing, and economic growth. Key changes:
- Permanent 100% bonus depreciation for most qualified property acquired and placed in service after January 19, 2025 (or specified plants planted/grafted after that date). This eliminates the phaseout entirely going forward—no more drop to 20% or 0%.
- Applies to the same general categories as before (tangible property with ≤20-year class life, etc.), and includes both new and used property.
Transition Rules
- Property acquired on or before January 19, 2025 (even if placed in service later in 2025) generally follows the old phaseout (e.g., 40% for 2025 placements).
- Property placed in service from January 1–19, 2025: Typically 40% (or 60% for certain property).
- Special election option: For the first taxable year ending after January 19, 2025, taxpayers can elect to claim only 40% (or 60% for long-production-period property/aircraft) instead of 100%. This provides flexibility (e.g., to manage taxable income or state tax differences).
New Expansion
- Introduces 100% expensing for qualified production property (QPP) — certain nonresidential real property used in manufacturing/production (e.g., new facilities). This is often temporary (e.g., for property constructed after January 19, 2025, and before January 1, 2029 in some descriptions) and aims to boost U.S. production.
- IRS interim guidance (e.g., Notice 2026-11) allows reliance on prior regulations with updated dates, and covers additions like certain qualified sound recording productions.
These changes make bonus depreciation much more favorable under current law (as of 2026), especially for businesses investing in equipment or production facilities.
Note: State tax conformity varies—many states don't fully follow federal bonus depreciation rules. Always consult a tax professional for your specific situation, as details depend on asset type, acquisition timing, and elections.
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