Distributing assets from a family trust to a beneficiary – no stamp duty in SA
In South Australia it is possible to transfer a property from a family trust to a beneficiary without stamp duty. Find out how.
What is an unpaid present entitlement or ‘UPE’?
If you have a discretionary family trust, then chances are your accountant has mentioned ‘unpaid present entitlements’ or ‘UPEs’. No doubt you have just nodded wisely, but deep down, do you really know what this means?
Why do all doctors have a trust?
Doctors earn their money by ‘doing things’. Performing surgery, diagnosing an illness. This is great from a ‘personal fulfilment’ perspective, but not so great from a ‘personal tax’ perspective.
Are trusts a ‘tax loophole’ exploited by the wealthy?
People who say this are just demonstrating their ignorance. Here’s why. The ability to use a trust as a ‘tax loophole’ was pretty much closed out in the 1970-80s. To suggest that trusts somehow make tax disappear for the ‘wealthy’ is plain silly.
Special Disability Trust – Solution Brief
This Brief outlines the structure, use, eligibility requirements and benefits of Special Disability Trusts
Can the trustee of your discretionary ‘family’ trust make a distribution to itself?
The short answer is that it depends on whether the trustee first falls within the class of potential beneficiaries, and then whether the trustee is specifically excluded from benefiting.
Can you benefit from a trust you have made a gift to?
Budget Update Notice: The 2026/27 Federal Budget contains proposals that may affect the information in this article. As at the date of this notice, these are proposed measures and have not yet passed into law. We are reviewing and updating our content as the legislative process progresses. If you are making a decision based on […]
What is a Special Disability Trust and why would you need one?
A Special Disability Trust (SDT) is a special type of trust that allows parents and immediate family members to plan for current and future needs of a person with severe disability. The trust can pay for reasonable care, accommodation and other discretionary needs of the beneficiary during their lifetime.
Getting your trust distributions right
Take advantage of our year-end trust distribution minute review service
Take care to make sure your family trust update is effective
Not all Trust Update Services are equal (or in some cases, even necessary…). Before you get your trust deed updated, make sure that it’s necessary and that the changes will achieve what they need to.