By the time you read this article, the 2022 income year will havecommenced, meaning that the Government’s new highest personal marginal tax rate of 39% is in effect. This rate of income tax applies to individuals on income that they earn in excess of $180,000. It is likely that the implementation of this new tax bracket will lead to a flurry of taxpayers seeking advice around their structure. But prior to restructuring, it pays to “look before you leap”.

The reason there may be a flurry of restructuring is because the Government have decided not to increase the trust rate to match the new highest personal tax rate. This was a surprise to many, due to the incentive it provides for redirecting income into trusts. However, the Government are conscious of this and have given the IRD a new set of tools to monitor taxpayer behaviour.

Changes To Trust Tax Returns

When you next file an income tax return for a trust you are going to have to disclose matters such as:

• the identity of the holders of the power to appoint and remove trustees
• the identity of any individuals who have made gifts or settlements upon the trust
• the identity of any beneficiaries who have received distributions
• profit and loss statement and balance sheet.

Doubtless IRD will be trawling through this data looking for evidence of taxpayers restructuring their affairs driven by the new highest tax rate.

That is not to say that all restructuring which sees income-producing assets transferred into trust ownership is going to fall foul of the IRD. In my experience there are usually other factors that drive clients to restructure to transfer assets into trust ownership.

For example, those who are self-employed, or engaged in activities that require them to personally guarantee large amounts of borrowing, want asset protection. I often find that parents want to ensure that the asset base they build up during their lifetimes is protected from exposure to relationship property claims by ex-spouses of their children. I also often come across single clients or those in newly-formed relationships who want to establish structures that allow them to preserve their independence by separating assets, while simultaneously having a structure that allows them to move forward together. All of these things could drive a restructure which sees assets moved into trust protection.

In my opinion, when this happens any tax benefit that may arise in the longterm is not the driver and therefore the arrangements should not be viewed as tax avoidance.

Take Care With Ownership Switches

You also need to be careful when moving assets around that the movement itself does not trigger an adverse tax outcome. Moving shares in companies can see imputation credits and tax losses forfeited. Moving property around can generate taxable gains on internal transfers or reset the bright-line clock – increasing the chances of there being a taxable gain at a later point in time.

Finally, there is the new trust law to take into account. While many commentators seem to be of the view
that trusts are out of vogue due to these changes, I see that as being shortsighted. That said, you do need to be aware of the obligations that arise under this new legislative framework before proceeding to restructure your affairs in a manner which sees you moving assets into trust ownership.

In summary, there may be temptation to restructure your affairs to move assets held personally into trust ownership, particularly with the new highest personal marginal tax rate. However, care needs to be taken when restructuring to avoid potential unintended consequences. Equally, a carefully conceived and executed restructure can provide you with long-term asset protection, estate planning and tax benefits. As always, seek expert advice.