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Form 4547 Walkthrough: Claiming the Trump Account $1,000 Seed

Tax information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Consult a licensed tax professional for your specific situation.

Form 4547 is the new IRS form that parents and legal guardians use to claim the $1,000 government seed contribution for a qualifying child’s Trump Account. The form was created as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill and is available starting in July 2026 when Trump Accounts officially go live. This step-by-step walkthrough covers everything you need to complete and submit the form successfully.

For the full overview of Trump Accounts, including contribution limits, tax treatment, and investment options, see our complete Trump Account guide.

Before You Start: What You Need

Gather the following documents and information before beginning Form 4547:

Required for the Child

Document/Information	Where to Get It
Child’s Social Security number (SSN)	Social Security card or SSA records
Child’s full legal name	Birth certificate
Child’s date of birth	Birth certificate
Proof of U.S. citizenship	Birth certificate (if born in U.S.) or Certificate of Citizenship

Required for the Parent/Guardian

Document/Information	Where to Get It
Parent/guardian SSN	Social Security card
Parent/guardian full legal name	Government-issued ID
Government-issued photo ID number	Driver’s license, state ID, or passport
Current mailing address	—
Phone number and email	—

Important Notes

The child must be born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028 to qualify for the $1,000 seed
Only one Form 4547 can be filed per eligible child
Either parent (or the legal guardian) can file the form — both parents do not need to file
If you have multiple eligible children, file a separate Form 4547 for each child

Form 4547: Section-by-Section Walkthrough

Tax Year: Enter the year you are claiming the seed. For most filers in 2026, this will be “2026.”

Your name(s) as shown on Form 1040: Enter your name exactly as it appears (or will appear) on your federal income tax return. If filing jointly, enter both names.

Part I: Child Information

This section identifies the child for whom you are claiming the $1,000 seed.

Line 1 — Child’s full legal name

Enter the child’s first, middle, and last name as it appears on the birth certificate and Social Security card. The name must match SSA records exactly. If the child has a suffix (Jr., III, etc.), include it.

Line 2 — Child’s Social Security number

Enter the child’s 9-digit SSN. An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) does not qualify. The child must have a valid SSN assigned by the Social Security Administration.

If your child has been born but you have not yet received an SSN, apply for one at your local Social Security office before filing Form 4547. Processing an SSN application typically takes ~2-4 weeks.

Line 3 — Child’s date of birth

Enter the child’s date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format. The date must fall between 01/01/2025 and 12/31/2028 for the child to be eligible for the $1,000 seed.

Line 4 — Child’s citizenship status

Check the applicable box:

U.S. citizen by birth
Naturalized U.S. citizen
U.S. national

The child must be a U.S. citizen or national. Permanent residents (green card holders) who are not citizens do not qualify unless they have become naturalized citizens.

Line 5 — Has a Trump Account seed previously been claimed for this child?

Check Yes or No. If you previously filed a Form 4547 for this child and received confirmation, do not file again. If you filed previously but did not receive confirmation, check No and include a note referencing the prior submission.

Part II: Parent/Guardian Information

This section identifies the adult filing the claim.

Line 6 — Parent/guardian full legal name

Enter your name as it appears on your government-issued photo ID and your most recent Form 1040.

Line 7 — Parent/guardian Social Security number

Enter your 9-digit SSN. If filing jointly and the other spouse is the one completing the form, enter that spouse’s SSN.

Line 8 — Relationship to child

Check the applicable box:

Biological parent
Adoptive parent
Legal guardian
Other (specify)

If you are a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or other relative with legal guardianship, check “Legal guardian” and be prepared to provide court documentation if requested.

Line 9 — Government-issued photo ID

Enter the following:

(a) Type of ID: Driver’s license, state ID, or passport
(b) ID number
(c) State or country of issue
(d) Expiration date

This information is used for identity verification. Make sure the ID is not expired at the time of filing.

Line 10 — Current mailing address

Enter your street address, city, state, and ZIP code. This is where the IRS will send the confirmation letter and any correspondence about the Trump Account.

Line 11 — Phone number and email address

Enter a daytime phone number and email address where you can be reached. The email address will also be used for your trumpaccounts.gov portal login if you file online.

Part III: Account Designation

This section specifies the account setup.

Line 12 — Investment selection

The Trump Account is invested in an S&P 500 index fund. There is no choice to make here — simply confirm the default investment by checking the box:

S&P 500 Index Fund (default and only option)

The legislation mandates that all Trump Accounts be invested in S&P 500 index funds. This line exists to confirm your acknowledgment of the investment terms.

Line 13 — Custodian designation

Confirm that you (the parent/guardian identified in Part II) will serve as the account custodian until the child reaches age 18:

I will serve as custodian for this account

If custody arrangements change (due to divorce, death, or change of guardianship), the custodian can be updated through the trumpaccounts.gov portal or by filing an amended Form 4547.

Line 14 — Successor custodian (optional)

You may optionally designate a successor custodian who will manage the account if you become unable to do so. Enter the successor’s name and SSN, or leave blank if you prefer not to designate one at this time.

Part IV: Certification and Signature

Line 15 — Certification

By signing, you certify that:

The child identified in Part I is a qualifying child born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028
The child is a U.S. citizen or national with a valid SSN
You are the parent or legal guardian of the child
No prior Trump Account seed has been claimed for this child
The information provided is true and complete to the best of your knowledge

Line 16 — Signature

Sign and date the form. If filing jointly, only one spouse needs to sign Form 4547 (unlike Form 1040, which requires both signatures).

Line 17 — Preparer information (if applicable)

If a paid preparer completed the form on your behalf, they must enter their name, PTIN, firm name, and signature in this section.

How to Submit Form 4547

You have three options for submitting the completed form:

Option 1: Online at trumpaccounts.gov (Recommended)

The fastest and easiest method:

Visit trumpaccounts.gov (available starting July 2026)
Create an account using your email, SSN, and government ID information
Complete the Form 4547 information electronically
Upload a digital image of the child’s birth certificate (if required)
Submit the form
Receive a confirmation number immediately
Expected processing time: ~2-4 weeks

The online portal also allows you to set up additional contributions, view account balances, and manage account settings after the seed is deposited.

Option 2: Through Tax Software

Starting with the 2026 tax filing season, major tax software providers will support Form 4547:

TurboTax: Expected to include a Trump Account module in the interview process
H&R Block: Expected to support online and in-office filing
FreeTaxUSA: Expected to include Form 4547 support
IRS Free File: Expected to include the form for eligible taxpayers

Tax software will generate Form 4547 based on your answers and submit it electronically along with your tax return (or separately if you have already filed). Processing times are similar to online filing: approximately ~2-4 weeks.

Option 3: By Mail

If you prefer to file on paper:

Download Form 4547 from IRS.gov (available starting mid-2026)
Print and complete the form
Attach a copy of the child’s birth certificate
Mail to the IRS address listed on the form instructions (expected to be the same address used for your area’s Form 1040 filings)
Expected processing time: ~8-12 weeks

Paper filing is significantly slower than electronic filing. If speed is important, use the online portal or tax software.

After You Submit: What to Expect

Confirmation

Online/tax software: You will receive an immediate confirmation number and an email within ~1-2 business days
Mail: You will receive a confirmation letter by mail in approximately ~4-6 weeks

Seed Deposit

Once your Form 4547 is approved, the $1,000 seed is deposited into the child’s Trump Account. The deposit typically occurs within ~2-4 weeks of approval for electronic filings, or ~8-12 weeks for paper filings.

Account Access

After the seed is deposited, you can access the account at trumpaccounts.gov to:

View the account balance and investment performance
Make additional contributions (up to ~$5,000 per year)
Download account statements
Update custodian information

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

SSN Mismatch

If the child’s name and SSN do not match SSA records, Form 4547 will be rejected. Verify that you are using the exact name shown on the Social Security card. If you recently changed the child’s name (due to adoption, for example), update the name with SSA before filing.

Duplicate Filing

If someone has already filed Form 4547 for the child (such as the other parent), your form will be rejected as a duplicate. Only one seed can be claimed per child. Contact the IRS or use the trumpaccounts.gov portal to resolve custody/claim disputes.

Missing Birth Certificate

If you file by mail and forget to include a copy of the birth certificate, the IRS will send a notice requesting the document. This will delay processing by several weeks. When filing online, you may be required to upload a digital image.

Child Born in Late 2028

If your child is born near the end of 2028, you may not have an SSN in time to file Form 4547 before a potential deadline. Apply for the SSN as soon as possible after birth. The IRS is expected to provide a reasonable window (likely 1-2 years after birth) for claiming the seed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file Form 4547 before July 2026?

No. The form and the trumpaccounts.gov portal will not be available until July 2026. You cannot file early, but there is no penalty for waiting — the seed is available for all eligible children regardless of when you file (within the claiming window).

My child was born in January 2025. Can I still claim the seed in 2027?

Yes. The claiming window is expected to remain open for several years after the child’s birth. The exact deadline has not been announced, but the IRS is expected to provide ample time. For general tax filing deadlines, see our deadline guide.

Do I need to file Form 4547 with my tax return?

No. Form 4547 is a standalone form that can be submitted independently of your annual tax return. You can file it through the trumpaccounts.gov portal at any time (after July 2026), or you can file it through tax software during the regular filing season. Either approach works.

What if I am not the child’s biological parent?

Legal guardians, adoptive parents, and other individuals with legal custody can file Form 4547. Check the appropriate relationship box on Line 8 and be prepared to provide court documentation of guardianship if requested.

Is the $1,000 seed taxable income?

No. The $1,000 government seed is not taxable income to either the parent or the child. It does not need to be reported on your Form 1040. For information about what income you do need to report, see do I have to file taxes in 2026.

Can I change the custodian after filing?

Yes. If custody arrangements change, you can update the custodian designation through the trumpaccounts.gov portal or by filing an amended Form 4547. The new custodian must provide their identification information. Review the Trump Account vs 529 vs custodial account comparison for more on how custodial designations work across different account types.

What if my Form 4547 is rejected?

If your form is rejected, you will receive a notice explaining the reason (SSN mismatch, duplicate filing, ineligible birth date, etc.). Correct the issue and resubmit. Electronic resubmission can be done through the trumpaccounts.gov portal. If you need assistance, contact the IRS helpline listed on the rejection notice.

Checklist: Filing Form 4547

Use this checklist to make sure you have everything ready:

Child’s SSN obtained
Child’s birth certificate available
Child’s birth date is between 01/01/2025 and 12/31/2028
Your SSN and government-issued photo ID ready
Decided on filing method (online, tax software, or mail)
Form completed with accurate information
Form signed and dated
Birth certificate copy attached (if filing by mail)
Confirmation number saved (if filing online)

Tax Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional tax advice. Tax laws are subject to change, and individual circumstances vary. Consult a qualified tax professional or visit IRS.gov for official guidance on Form 4547 and Trump Accounts.