Why should a child have a custodial account?

With a custodial account, you can explain that the money belongs to the child and that you, as the custodian, are saving and investing for them until they reach adulthood. By showing a child the investment mix, types of assets, and performance reports, you can educate them about investing until the account becomes theirs.

Who controls my child's custodial account?

Who controls my child’s custodial account? As custodian, you are in control of your child’s custodial account until he or she reaches your state’s age of majority. Depending on your state of residence, this is normally 18 or 21, though certain states may allow you to select an even later age for your child to take control of the custodial account.

How much tax does a custodial account pay?

A portion (up to $1,250 in 2024) of any earnings from a custodial account may be exempt from federal income tax, and a portion (up to $1,250 in 2024) of any earnings in excess of the exempt amount may be taxed at the child's tax rate, which is generally lower than the parent's tax rate.