Tax Traps for Trusts 2025
1.5 CPD Hours
Description
Navigate the tax traps of the 39% trustee tax rate—join us to unpack anti-avoidance rules, tax planning, trust distributions, resettlements, and the latest IRD guidance.
This webinar considers tax traps arising from the introduction of the 39% trustee tax rate, including when the rules to mitigate the “over-taxation” of trust income apply, the scope of the specific anti-avoidance rule directed at distributions to certain corporate beneficiaries, and the Commissioner’s latest guidance on tax planning in the light of the 39% trustee tax rate.
This webinar also considers the tax implications (and tax traps) arising from making distributions to beneficiaries, varying the terms of a trust and trust resettlements, and the impact of the changes to the bright-line test on trusts (including when “rollover relief” applies).
LEARNING OUTCOMES
You will:
- Learn how the 39% trustee tax rate affects trust structures and when the rules which mitigate the “over-taxation” of trust income apply
- Understand the scope of the specific tax avoidance rule directed at distributions to certain corporate beneficiaries
- Be aware of the Commissioner’s latest guidance on tax planning and trusts, including what behaviours may result in an Inland Revenue investigation
- Understand how the bright-line test applies to property held in trust, including the application of the “main home exclusion” and recent changes to the “rollover relief” provisions
- Know what tax issues arise on distributions, including the distribution of “deemed income” and imputation credit streaming
- Learn about the GST and income tax implications arising on varying the terms of a trust and trust resettlements
- Understand when debt forgiveness programmes can give rise to a tax liability, including when trusts are resettled
SUITED TO
Accountants of all levels, tax lawyers, trust lawyers and others who act as trustees of clients’ trusts.
PRESENTER
Stephen Tomlinson, Partner, Tomlinson Law
Stephen is a partner of Tomlinson Law. Stephen has lectured in taxation, finance and business law at the University of Canterbury and is a well-known presenter of taxation and trust seminars and webinars. Stephen advises accounting firms and law firms on a wide range of tax issues. He is a member of the NZLS Taxation Committee and The Law Association of New Zealand Trust Law Committee.