Trust Accountant Sydney
FOR TRUSTEES & FAMILIES · THE 2028 TRUST CHANGES
A trust is only as good as the way it’s run.
Family trusts remain one of the most effective structures in Australia, for flexibility, asset protection and building wealth across a family. But the rules are tightening, distributions are under more scrutiny than ever, and a 30% minimum tax arrives in 2028. A trust set up well and run properly is an asset. One run casually is a liability. We do the first kind.
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Trust establishment, structured properly from day one
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Distributions planned and resolved before 30 June, every year
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Ahead of the 2028 trust tax changes
Registered Tax Agents · Chartered Accountants ANZ · SMSF Association · 5.0★ Google
Is This You?
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You have a family trust, or you've been told you should
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Your trust holds property or investments and the distributions feel like guesswork
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You're not sure what the 2028 trust changes mean for your structure
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You want the trust run properly, not just a return lodged once a year
What’s changing for trusts, and why it matters now
Trusts have had a decade of increasing attention, and the biggest change yet is now on the calendar:
A 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts from 1 July 2028.
Announced in the 2026-27 Federal Budget, the measure changes the maths on distributing trust income to lower-taxed beneficiaries. Structures built purely around distribution flexibility need reassessing, some will still work well, some won't, and the difference is worth finding out before 2028, not after.
Distributions are under real scrutiny.
Who receives trust income, whether they actually benefit, and how the resolution is documented all matter now in ways they didn't a decade ago. A distribution done properly is routine; one done loosely can be reassessed years later.
The deed is the rulebook, and old deeds age badly.
Many trusts run on deeds written 15+ years ago that don't reflect current law, the current family, or the current assets. A deed review is cheap; discovering a defect during a property sale or a family dispute is not.
Whether your trust was established last year or last century, the settings deserve a fresh look against what’s coming.
Book a review of your trust →How We Help
Trustees & Families
From establishment to distributions to the generation after, we cover the full arc of a family trust. Every service stands alone or combines into a full trust review.
Trust Establishment & Structure
Family trust, unit trust or a blend, with the right trustee, the right appointor and a deed built for how the trust will actually be used. Established properly the first time, because fixing a structure later costs far more than building it right.
Includes: trust establishment, corporate trustee setup, appointor and control planning
Trust Tax & Distributions
Distributions planned before 30 June, not scrambled after it. Resolutions drafted, income streamed correctly and every beneficiary statement done right, year after year.
Includes: distribution planning and resolutions, trust returns, beneficiary statements
Trust Accounting & Reporting
Trust accounts kept clean year-round, bookkeeping, reconciliations and financial statements that give trustees and beneficiaries a clear picture of the trust's position.
Includes: trust financial statements, bookkeeping, annual reporting
Deed Reviews & Restructuring
Old deeds checked against current law, variations handled properly, and restructures planned when the trust no longer fits the family or the assets it holds.
Includes: deed reviews and variations, restructure planning, succession of control
Our consultation process
First we work out if we're right for each other.
Then we get to work.
Your Situation
Tell us where you're at and what you're building. We'll be straight about whether we're right for it.
Discovery Session
A short intro call. You tell us what you're after, we tell you how we work, and we take it from there.
You're In
The decision's made, the work begins. Structured onboarding, systems in place, underway from day one.
Why Families Choose FTC
Distribute, restructure, hand over: the big trust decisions deserve more than a quick
opinion. When one’s in front of you, we sit down and work it through
properly.
It’s why clients bring us the trust setup, the deed review and
the June distributions, not just the annual return.
We specialise in trusts. From establishment to distributions, it's what we do every day.
We see the whole picture. Trust, trustee, beneficiaries and assets, planned together.
We plan ahead. Distributions resolved before June, structures ready before 2028.
We're accountable. Registered Tax Agents, Chartered Accountants ANZ, SMSF Association.
Before the next distribution, let’s make sure the trust’s doing its job.
Book a consultationFrequently Asked Questions
01 What is a family trust and do I need one?
A family (discretionary) trust holds assets for the benefit of family members, with the trustee deciding each year who receives the income. It can offer asset protection and flexibility, but whether it suits you depends on your income, assets, family situation and the 2028 changes. It needs modelling, not a rule of thumb.
02 What are the trust changes coming in 2028?
The 2026-27 Federal Budget announced a 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts from 1 July 2028. It changes the benefit of distributing to lower-taxed beneficiaries, and existing structures should be reviewed well before it starts.
03 When do trust distributions need to be decided?
Before 30 June each year, the trustee's resolution must be made by then, and done properly. Late or defective resolutions can mean the trustee is taxed at the top marginal rate on undistributed income.
04 Can a trust hold property?
Yes, trusts commonly hold investment property. Land tax treatment varies by state (some states impose surcharges or deny thresholds for trusts), so the structure needs checking against where the property is before purchase.
More on property investing 05 How much does a trust cost to set up and run?
Establishment and annual costs depend on the trustee structure and what the trust holds. We scope it with you and agree it upfront before any work begins.
06 Can you take over an existing trust from another accountant?
Yes, trusts move to us regularly. We review the deed and history as part of the handover, bring the records across and pick up the compliance without a gap.
Information on this page is general in nature and doesn’t account for your personal circumstances or objectives. Announced measures remain subject to the passage of legislation. Seek advice specific to your position before acting.