Trusts
Trust accounting that protects beneficiaries and trustees alike.
For South African inter vivos trusts, testamentary trusts, property trusts and family trusts. Annual financial statements, IT12TR tax returns, trustee reporting and SARS compliance handled with care and clarity.
CA(SA)-led team · SARS Registered Tax Practitioners · 12+ years in business
Trustees carry fiduciary duty. The admin should not be the weak link.
A trust is a separate taxpayer with its own records, returns and reporting duties. Beneficiaries and the Master of the High Court expect trustees to account properly.
Records live in spreadsheets and memory.
Trust bank accounts, distributions and asset movements are tracked informally. When a beneficiary or SARS asks questions, the picture is hard to reconstruct.
IT12TR and provisional tax are missed.
Trusts file their own tax returns. Income allocated to beneficiaries has its own rules. Penalties stack when nobody owns the filing calendar.
Trustees need defensible reporting.
Annual financial statements and trustee minutes should show prudent stewardship, not last-minute guesswork before a meeting.
Is this you?
Here is how you can assess if this is for you
You are likely in the right place
- You are a trustee or administrator of a South African trust
- The trust owns property, investments or operates a small business
- You need IT12TR returns, AFS and beneficiary reporting handled properly
- You want independent professional support, not informal family bookkeeping
- Compliance with SARS and trust law matters to you
A different page may fit better
- Registered NPO or NPC → NPCs / NPOs
- Personal tax on salary or rental only → Individuals
- Commercial PTY (not a trust) → Who We Serve
What trusts do we work with?
We support inter vivos trusts (created during a founder’s lifetime), testamentary trusts (created in a will), family trusts, property and investment trusts, and trusts that operate small businesses or hold rental assets.
Each trust deed is different. We read the governing document, understand beneficiary classes and distribution rules, and build records that trustees can stand behind.
Numbers handled. Guidance you can lean on.
We are registered accountants and tax practitioners, entrepreneurial at the core. We think like business owners because we are. We handle the numbers and walk with you through the decisions that matter, so you keep more of your hard-earned money.
300+Businesses served
12 yrsHelping owners grow
98%SARS compliance rate
97%5-year client retention
The plan
Review, record, report.
01
Review the trust position
We read the trust deed, review bank and investment records, and map SARS registrations, filing history and beneficiary obligations.
02
Build proper records
Trust ledger, asset register, distribution schedules and supporting documents kept current throughout the year.
03
Report and file on time
Annual financial statements, IT12TR, provisional tax where applicable, and trustee packs beneficiaries and co-trustees can rely on.
Trust services
Trust tax, accounts and trustee reporting in one place.
Bookkeeping for trust bank accounts, annual financial statements, IT12TR preparation and submission, provisional tax, distribution schedules, and advice on trustee duties and SARS correspondence.
What is at stake
Poor trust records create personal risk for trustees.
Without proper accounts
- Trustees cannot defend decisions to beneficiaries
- SARS penalties on late or incorrect IT12TR returns
- Disputes over distributions and asset values
- Master of the High Court queries without clean records
With professional support
- Clear annual accounts and tax filings
- Trustees meet fiduciary duties with evidence
- Beneficiaries see transparent reporting
- Peace of mind that the trust is administered properly
How we help
Trust services we provide.
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Taxation
IT12TR, provisional tax, beneficiary tax certificates and SARS correspondence.
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Financial reporting
Trust bookkeeping, annual financial statements and asset registers.
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Business advisory
Distribution planning, trustee decision support and trust structure advice.
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Secretarial services
Trustee changes, resolutions and related governance documentation.
Frequently asked questions
Does a trust pay tax in South Africa?
Yes. Trusts are separate taxpayers and file IT12TR returns. Income may be taxed in the trust or attributed to beneficiaries depending on the type of income and distributions made. We advise on the correct treatment.
What records must trustees keep?
Trust bank statements, investment records, loan accounts, distribution resolutions, asset valuations where needed, and correspondence with beneficiaries and SARS. We structure this so annual reporting is straightforward.
Can you work with our existing attorney or financial planner?
Yes. We often work alongside attorneys who drafted the trust and planners who advise on investments. We handle the accounting and tax layer they rely on.
Our trust has rental property. Can you help?
Yes. Property trusts are common. We account for rental income, expenses, bond interest, distributions and the tax impact for the trust and beneficiaries.
How much does trust accounting cost?
Fees depend on asset complexity, number of bank accounts, investments and whether catch-up work is needed. We quote after reviewing the trust deed and current records.
Personal tax as well?
Individuals page.
Trustees and beneficiaries often need personal ITR12 support too.
Non-profit trust?
NPCs / NPOs.
Charitable or NPO trust? See our non-profit page.
Ready to see where you actually stand?
30 minutes, no pressure. We will look at your numbers, tell you honestly what is working and what is not, and show you what the path forward looks like for your business.