Trust Registration Service Annual Declarations

The online Trust Registration Service (TRS) has been up and running since 2017 and a new update to the service requires all trusts to be updated on an annual basis by way of an annual declaration. Consequently, trustees are now required to update the data on the register for any changes by 31 January following the tax year in which the change occurred. Even if there are no changes to trust data in a tax year, but the trust has incurred a tax liability during the period, the trustees must confirm via the TRS that no changes have occurred and that the details on the register are accurate.

As a result of this new requirement, trusts which have previously had little or no ongoing administration now have to submit a completed annual declaration whenever the trust has incurred a tax liability. The annual declaration is a simple process to carry out, however arranging for the trust to be set up correctly to allow the annual declaration to be completed is not.

Trustees should seek professional advice as to what they need to provide the Trust Registration Service with to ensure that the trust complies with all requirements. A majority of the trusts we help to manage, meet the criteria which require annual declarations to be completed. We are familiar with the steps that need to be taken to complete the annual declarations as a result and we have prepared a comprehensive set of instructions to guide trustees through the process.

We would be happy to assist with any queries concerning the new compliance requirements and can help trustees to prepare for the new process.

Anna Suchocki is a probate and trusts assistant in the Private Client team.

Suffolk Private Client Solicitors – for more information on our range of legal services, please call the team on 01473 611211 or email [email protected]