Rule #1: When in doubt, refer to the trust document; an investment policy for a trust cannot be created without it.
One advantage of creating a trust is that the grantor can have it tailored to his or her needs; therefore, although there may be provisions in common, trust documents vary widely.
The trust document provides instructions to the trustee for managing, investing, and distributing trust assets. It is the primary authority and can supplement or override powers given to the trustee by state law. If the trust document doesn’t address an issue, the trustee can refer to state law.
Just as each document is unique, so are each state’s trust statutes. There has been some effort among states to standardize trust law, but even states that have adopted the Uniform Trust Code have enacted their own version. If state law is silent, the trustee or beneficiaries can ask for interpretation or guidance from state courts.
Managing trust investments follows the same general principles as managing investments for individuals. Factors that must be considered are account risk tolerance, time horizon, long-term goals, and need for current income. Before you and your financial advisor begin a portfolio analysis, read the trust agreement. Here are some important points to consider
Rule #2: Except for differences in the marginal tax brackets, trusts are taxed much in the same way as individuals.
A trust is a separate tax entity, but the general principles of income taxation that apply to individual taxpayers also apply to trusts. For example:
The main difference between individual and trust tax rules is the marginal tax rate, which is compressed for trusts and therefore results in considerably higher tax rates for the same amount of taxable income.
Rule #3: Distributions of taxable income from the trust are taxed to the beneficiary.
The trust may get a distribution deduction for all or part of it. For taxation purposes, trusts can typically be divided into two camps:
A grantor trust can be either revocable or irrevocable as follows:
Rule #4: A grantor trust can be irrevocable for gift and estate tax purposes and still cause the grantor to recognize taxable income, even if he or she does not receive trust income.
A grantor trust uses the tax identification number of the grantor for income tax reporting. The trustee reports trust income, deductions, and credits to the grantor, who, in turn, reports these items on his or her personal return. A revocable trust is a grantor trust while the grantor is alive, but it becomes a separate tax entity after the grantor dies—even if the name of the trust stays the same.
Irrevocable trusts can be intentionally structured as grantor trusts by giving the grantor or the grantor’s spouse certain powers or rights, such as:
An irrevocable trust reports income on Form 1041, the IRS’s trust and estate tax return.
Even if a trust is a separate taxpayer, it may not have to pay taxes. If it makes distributions to a beneficiary, the trust will take a distribution deduction on its tax return and the beneficiary will receive IRS Schedule K-1. The beneficiary will be responsible for taxes on the income it receives. Income paid to beneficiaries retains its character as earned by the trust. Thus, tax-exempt income received by the trust is still tax exempt in the hands of the beneficiary.
Please note: The exclusion from gain for the sale of a primary residence is available only to grantor trusts.
Rule #5: Losses pass to beneficiaries only when the trust terminates.
Like individual taxpayers, trusts can offset capital gains and up to $3,000 of ordinary income with capital losses. Excess losses can be carried forward and used in future tax years, but they cannot pass through to the beneficiaries before the year that the trust terminates. Note that the related party rule may cause a declared loss to be disallowed.
Rule #6: Trust accounting income is different from taxable income.
Understanding trust income taxation starts with becoming familiar with a couple of key concepts.
Rule #7: It rarely makes sense for a CRT to invest in tax-exempt securities.
At this writing, income earned by a CRT is not taxed; however, when distributions are made, the beneficiary pays taxes on the income from the payments received. So, although one benefit of CRTs is that the trustee avoids capital gains when highly appreciated assets are sold, the tax avoidance is only temporary.
The rules for CRT distributions are different from those for noncharitable trusts. If the trust earned any ordinary income or accumulated ordinary income from previous years, the distributions must first come from the ordinary income. If the distribution exceeds the trust’s ordinary income, the balance of the distribution is treated as coming from capital gains (both current and accumulated). Only after all ordinary and capital gain income has been accounted for will any of the distribution be treated as coming from tax-exempt income and then, finally, from trust principal.
Please note: Tax-exempt bonds are normally not a trustee’s first investment choice for a CRT because tax-exempt income cannot be distributed until all of the undistributed ordinary and capital gain has been used.
Rule #8: Trusts that are beneficiaries of IRAs can stretch RMDs over the lifetime of the oldest trust beneficiary.
A trust can be treated as a designated beneficiary if the trust qualifies as a “look-through” trust. As a designated beneficiary, the trust can defer tax recognition over a longer period of time and pass along the tax efficiencies to beneficiaries. The IRS will look through the trust and base the distributions on the life expectancy of the oldest beneficiary.
Please note: Naming a trust as an IRA beneficiary in lieu of the surviving spouse limits the spouse’s opportunity to roll over the retirement funds into his or her own IRA.
If a trust is to be named beneficiary of retirement funds, careful consideration must be given to the drafting language of the trust. Under trust accounting rules, an RMD may be considered both income and principal. Unless the document is drafted to redefine income, taxable income can be trapped in the trust.
Rule #9: When the grantor dies, assets held by revocable trusts usually get a step-up (or step-down) in basis.
Generally, when a beneficiary dies, there is no adjustment in basis. When property is acquired from a decedent, it acquires a new basis equal to the fair market value at the date of death or on the alternate valuation date. Assets held in a revocable trust will be included in the grantor’s gross estate, and, therefore, capital assets will generally receive a new basis.
But when the beneficiary of a trust dies, there is generally no adjustment in basis. For example, a bypass-type trust retains its basis and should not be included in a surviving spouse’s estate. The exception is when the beneficiary’s power or control over the trust causes assets to be pulled into the beneficiary’s estate or when a trust is designed to qualify for the marital deduction. These include marital and qualified terminable interest property trusts. If some or all of the assets of a trust will be pulled into the beneficiary’s estate, they will generally benefit from a new basis.
Typically, the tax basis for assets gifted to a trust is the same as if the assets were in the hands of the donor, adjusted for any gift taxes paid.
Rule #10: There is no income tax deferral for trust-owned annuities, unless the annuity serves as an agent for a natural person(s).
Under IRC Section 72(u) of the Internal Revenue Code, if an annuity is owned by a “nonnatural person,” it is not treated as an annuity contract for income tax purposes. Each year’s gain is treated as ordinary income by the owner. In several private letter rulings, however, the IRS found that if an annuity is held by a trust as an agent for a natural person, the tax deferral is retained. If any beneficiary of the trust is nonnatural, such as a charity, this exception does not apply.
As a guest blogger, I'm unable to respond directly to comments posted below, but if you have any questions about qualified and non-qualified expenses, please feel free to contact me directly - I'm happy to help!
This material has been provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute either tax or legal advice. Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend you consult a tax preparer, professional tax advisor, or lawyer.
Kristen Smith is a guest blogger, representing Axial Financial Group in Burlington, MA. She offers securities as a Registered Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA/SIPC. CRR, LLP (also represented as CRR, CRR CPA), Axial Financial Group, and Commonwealth Financial Network are separate and unrelated entities. Kristen can be reached at 781-273-1400 or ksmith@axialfg.com. This material has been provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute either tax or legal advice. Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend that you consult a tax preparer, professional tax advisor, or lawyer.