Business Registration
Setting up an Australian family trust
Structure, fees and process
Fees
Family trust setup fees by state
Stamp duty rules differ between states, so the establishment cost can vary.
The fees below are one-off setup fees and include applicable stamp duty, our service fee and GST.
Printed binding with three trust deed copies can be arranged for an additional $175.
Our fees are fixed and clearly stated.
Accountant support
Handled by accountants familiar with family trusts and family structures
Tax Way Accountants helps families establish family trusts and arrange TFN, ABN, GST/PAYG setup and ongoing accounting and tax compliance. We confirm the purpose, family members and key roles before documents are prepared.
- CPA accountant support
- Registered Tax Agent
- NTAA member
- Mandarin and English service
- Fixed fee
Process
Confirm the trust structure first, then arrange documents and tax registrations
- 01 Confirm whether a family trust is suitable
- 02 Identify trustee, appointor, beneficiaries and settlor
- 03 Prepare the trust deed
- 04 Arrange signing and establishment
- 05 Tax registrations
Records to prepare
Prepare these records before we start
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1
Trust name
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2
Registered office and postal address
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3
Trustee identification and TFN
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4
Beneficiary, appointor and settlor details
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5
Business or investment purpose
After completion
After the trust is established, you receive trust documents and setup support
Electronic trust documents
- Trust deed prepared by a lawyer
- Stamp duty record where applicable
- Settlor and trustee minutes
- Signed establishment records
Further setup we can assist with
- Trust TFN application
- ABN application
- GST registration where needed
- PAYG withholding registration where needed
Before you start
Common pitfalls that can delay lodgement or setup
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1
A trust does not suit every family or business
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2
Distribution resolutions can be missed
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3
Trustee or appointor roles may be set incorrectly
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4
Ongoing tax and record keeping can be overlooked
FAQs
Does a family trust always save tax?
No. A trust is a structure tool and should be assessed against family members, income, assets and long-term goals.
Does a trust need a tax return every year?
Usually yes. A trust generally needs annual tax lodgements and distribution records.
Can a company act as trustee?
Yes. Many business and asset structures use a corporate trustee, but setup and compliance costs are higher.
Next step
Ready to proceed? Send the documents first so we can confirm the scope
Please send the information listed in the checklist to simon.wang@taxway.com.au. If some records are missing, you can still send what you have first. We will confirm the gaps, scope and next steps.
Keep reading
Related services and articles
If you are still comparing structures, GST, ATO/ASIC compliance or ongoing tax obligations, these notes may help.
