Billionaires May Get Tax Break for Donating Stock to Trump Accounts

The Trump administration has held internal discussions about allowing wealthy donors to contribute company shares to Trump Accounts. The federal child investment program would give those donors significant tax breaks in return, Forbes reported on May 6.

The proposal would expand the program beyond cash contributions. Donors could give appreciated stock, avoid capital gains tax, and claim full charitable deductions at market value.

A New Pathway for Wealthy Donors

Trump Accounts went live this year under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Each US child born between 2025 and 2028 receives a $1,000 Treasury seed deposit. Parents can add up to $5,000 a year in post-tax dollars.

Funds are invested in diversified US equity index funds and are unlocked partially at age 18. Cash contributions open officially on July 4, 2026. The discussion names Brad Gerstner of Altimeter Capital as the lead advocate.

Why the Tax Math Matters

The proposed structure mirrors existing tax rules for charitable stock gifts. A wealthy donor would avoid capital gains tax on accumulated appreciation. The same donor would also claim a deduction worth the share’s current market price.

That double benefit could attract billions from founders sitting on highly appreciated equity. Cash donations carry no comparable advantage.

Billions Already Pledged, Critics Push Back

Private capital is already flowing in. Michael and Susan Dell pledged $6.25 billion in December. Their gift will seed $250 deposits for roughly 25 million children in lower-income ZIP codes.

Ray Dalio, BlackRock, Uber, Robinhood, and Charles Schwab have committed state-level or employer-matched contributions.

Allowing stock donations could route appreciated founder wealth into the program.

The NYU Tax Law Center calls the plan an expansion of philanthropy deductions already used by ultra-wealthy donors.

Any expansion would require new legislation. Neither the Treasury nor the White House has publicly confirmed the talks.

Congress now stands as the gatekeeper. Lawmakers will decide whether founder stock can flow into the accounts of millions of American children.