Trust Registration Service opens for non-taxable trusts

1 Sept 2021

HMRC have asked us to share the following message confirming that the Trust Registration Service (TRS) is now open for non-taxable trusts to register. The regulations which brought these trusts into scope came into force in October 2020, but HMRC have had to upgrade the existing TRS to take account of all the new changes and the regulations will be amended to reflect the new deadlines below in due course. 

HMRC’s message is as follows:

"Registration

We’re pleased to tell you that the Trust Registration Service is now open for non-taxable trust registrations. You should now register all UK express trusts and some non-UK express trusts with HMRC, including non-taxable trusts, unless the trust is specifically excluded due to its characteristics.

You must register:

  • non-taxable trusts in existence on or after 6 October 2020 by the 1 September 2022.
  • non-taxable trusts created after 1 September 2022 within 90 days.
  • changes to the trust details and/or circumstances, within 90 days of the change.

Please note that this gives more time than what is set out in current legislation and the legislation will be amended shortly to reflect the information above.

More information on the trusts that you need to register and the trusts that are excluded can be found at www.gov.uk/topic/personal-tax/trusts.

More detailed technical information can also be found in the Trust Registration Service Manual at www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/trust-registration-service-manual.

To register a trust as a trustee, go to www.gov.uk/guidance/register-a-trust-as-a-trustee and click on the ‘register now’ button.

To register a trust as an agent, go to www.gov.uk/guidance/register-your-clients-trust and click on the ‘register now’ button.

Please note, the digital live service email address included in previous communications is no longer in use for general enquiries, please contact the trusts helpline https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/trusts or raise a ticket via the appropriate page within the Trust Registration Service."

The CIOT is pleased that HMRC have taken on board concerns we and other professional bodies expressed around the original 30 day period to register new trusts and update data on the register and welcomes the change to increase the time limits from 30 days to 90 days.