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A guide to registering your trust

Find out how to register with the Trust Registration Service, an online system where trustees are required to register the trust they are responsible for with HMRC.

What is the Trust Registration Service?

The Trust Registration Service is an online system where trustees are required to register the trust they are responsible for with HMRC.

It’s mandatory for most trusts to register, even if the trust does not need to pay tax. You must register them within 90 days of the creation of the trust. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to £5,000.

Who can register the trust?

For most trusts, the registration process is relatively straightforward, and can be completed by the trustees. You appoint a lead trustee when you register. They will become the key point of contact for any HMRC correspondence.

Alternatively, trustees can authorise an ‘agent’ to register the trust on their behalf. Unfortunately, Skipton do not meet the criteria to act as an agent, as we do not operate as an accountancy service provider.

What types of trust need to be registered?

In short, most trusts need to be registered – you can find out at: www.gov.uk/trusts-taxes/registering-a-trust

Registering your trust

If you intend to register the trust yourself as the lead trustee, you can find information on how to do this and get started at: www.gov.uk/guidance/register-a-trust-as-a-trustee.

You can also download a copy of a Step-by-step Trust Registration guide [PDF] which takes you through each stage you need to go through.

If you’d like this guide in large print, braille or audio please ask in branch or call 0800 085 0459.

What you’ll need to provide to us after your trust is registered

Proof of Registration of the Trust with the TRS. If the Trust is exempt from registration under the TRS, then you need to contact us to confirm this and explain which exemption applies and what exempts the Trust from taxation.

You can send these by:

  • Email to ClientContact@skipton.co.uk
  • Post to Freepost Skipton Building Society (please be assured the address is correct despite its simplicity).

If you intend to register the trust yourself as the lead trustee, you can find information on how to do this and get started at: www.gov.uk/guidance/register-a-trust-as-a-trustee.

What you’ll need to provide to us after your trust is registered

Proof of Registration of the Trust with the TRS. If the Trust is exempt from registration under the TRS, then you need to contact us to confirm this and explain which exemption applies and what exempts the Trust from taxation.

You can send these by:

If you need to get in touch

Please note, if you have any questions about your trust registration, please contact the HMRC directly where they will be able to provide you with specific information.

For general enquiries, you can contact Skipton:

Financial advice trusts

Call Skipton: 0800 085 0459

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm.

Savings trusts

Call Skipton: 0345 850 1722

Opening hours:

8am - 6pm Monday - Thursday

8am - 5:30pm Friday

9am - 12 noon Saturday