Self Assessment for Agents

Submit a Trust & Estate Tax Return (SA900) when there is taxable income or gains arising to a:

• Trust (e.g. discretionary, interest-in-possession)
• Estate during administration (income received by the personal representatives)

Common triggers include: bank interest, dividends, rental income within the trust/estate, or chargeable capital gains on asset disposals. Beneficiaries’ personal returns are separate, the trust/estate first accounts for its own income/gains, then issues statements to beneficiaries.

If your client is a sole trader or landlord, use SA100 with the relevant pages; for a partnership, use SA800. Company profits are filed on CT600 (directors may still need an SA100 for personal items).

• Trustees are responsible for keeping records, completing the SA900, paying any tax due from trust funds, and providing beneficiaries with the correct statements (e.g. R185).
• Personal representatives (executors/administrators) complete the estate return during administration, account for estate income/gains, and settle liabilities before distributions.
• Beneficiaries may need to report amounts they receive on their own SA100 using the figures supplied by the trustees/PRs.

Clear documentation (trust deed, will, mandates) and a simple schedule of receipts/payments make year-end preparation faster and reduce queries.

• Filing: normally 31 January following the end of the tax year.
• Payment: usually 31 January as well (interim payments may apply depending on the case).
• UK residential property disposals: a separate property CGT return and payment on account may be due shortly after completion; include the figures again on the year-end SA900.

Filing early gives beneficiaries their figures sooner and avoids last-minute corrections.