Trust tax returns & distribution planning
Discretionary, family, unit and hybrid trusts – we prepare trust accounts and tax returns, plan distributions before 30 June and keep your trustee paperwork in order.
- Distribution resolutions prepared before 30 June
- Beneficiary returns planned together
- Trust financial statements included
Trusts are powerful – when they're managed properly
A trust can offer asset protection and flexibility in how income is distributed. But the ATO expects trustees to follow the trust deed, make valid resolutions on time and consider rules like section 100A and trustee beneficiary reporting.
We look after the full cycle: year-end accounts, distribution planning, resolutions, the trust tax return and the individual or company returns of beneficiaries.
- Resolutions prepared and signed on time
- Distributions reviewed against the trust deed
- Beneficiary returns prepared in sync
- Discretionary (family) trusts
- Unit trusts
- Hybrid trusts
- Testamentary trusts
- Trading & investment trusts
Trust services
Trust tax return
Preparation and lodgement of the trust's annual income tax return.
Trust financial statements
Profit and loss, balance sheet and beneficiary accounts.
Distribution planning
Modelling of distributions to beneficiaries before 30 June.
Trustee resolutions
Distribution minutes prepared in line with the trust deed.
Compliance checks
Section 100A, Division 7A and unpaid present entitlement reviews.
Corporate beneficiaries
Bucket company returns and dividend planning.
Plan before 30 June – not after
Trustees generally need to make their distribution resolution by 30 June. We'll contact you in May or June with projected trust income and distribution options, so decisions are made with real numbers and properly documented.
- Projected income
- Distribution scenarios
- Resolution templates
- Beneficiary tax estimates
- UPE tracking
- TFN reporting
- May–June: distribution planning
- By 30 June: resolutions signed
- After 30 June: accounts finalised
- Lodgement: trust & beneficiary returns
How it works
Review
We review your trust deed, structure and beneficiaries.
Plan
Pre-30 June distribution planning with projected figures.
Resolve
Resolutions prepared for trustee signature by 30 June.
Lodge
Trust and beneficiary returns prepared and lodged.
Trust tax returns for every industry
We work with businesses of every shape and size. These are the industries we know best.
Construction & trades
Job costing, progress claims, subbies and TPAR sorted.
ExploreHealth & allied health
Practice software, GST-free services and contractor pay.
ExploreArchitects & design
Project fees, WIP and profitability by stage.
ExploreDoctors & medical practices
Service fees, practitioner payments and payroll tax risk.
ExploreProfessional services
Billable time, retainers and utilisation reporting.
ExploreMarketing & creative agencies
Retainers, freelancers and profit per client.
ExplorePrivate clients & families
Household finances, investments and family trusts.
ExploreE-commerce & online retail
Shopify, Amazon, Stripe and inventory reconciled.
ExploreGrowing businesses & startups
Systems, forecasts and structure for the next stage.
ExploreTrust tax returns: your questions answered
When do trust distributions need to be decided?
Most trust deeds require the trustee to resolve how income will be distributed by 30 June. Missing the deadline can result in the trustee being taxed at the top marginal rate, so planning early matters.
What is section 100A?
Section 100A is an integrity rule that can apply where a beneficiary is made presently entitled to trust income but the benefit is actually provided to someone else. We review distributions with these rules in mind.
Can you set up a new trust?
We can advise on whether a trust suits your situation and coordinate the deed with a provider or your lawyer, then register the trust for an ABN, TFN and GST if needed.
Related services
Company tax returns
Company returns prepared and lodged by a registered tax agent
Individual tax returns
Every deduction you're entitled to, lodged properly
Financial statements
Year-end financial statements for owners, banks and lenders