Updated trust registration rules from June 2026 explained

Changes to the UK’s Trust Registration Service (TRS) take effect from 30 June 2026, widening the scope of some registration requirements while also introducing several welcome easements for lower-risk trusts.

The reforms form part of wider anti-money laundering updates and are designed to improve transparency around trust ownership, whilst reducing disproportionate compliance burdens where the risk of financial crime is considered low.

The changes include:

• Expanded registration requirements and data-sharing rules for certain non-UK trusts
• A wider application of the two-year grace period for some trusts arising on death
• A new de minimis exemption for certain low-value trusts
• An exemption for Scottish survivorship destination trusts
• The removal of Stamp Duty Reserve Tax (SDRT) from the list of relevant taxes for certain TRS purposes

What is the Trust Registration Service?

The TRS is HMRC’s online register of trusts. It requires trustees of most UK and non-UK trusts to provide information about the trust, its trustees, settlors and beneficiaries. The TRS is also the only way to register a trust with HMRC and obtain a unique taxpayer reference (UTR).

Since the expansion of the TRS rules in 2020, many trusts have been required to register even where they have no UK tax liability. Failure to register or keep records up to date can result in penalties.

Expansion of registration requirements for some overseas trusts

One of the most significant changes affects certain non-UK trusts holding UK property.

Previously, non-UK trusts were generally only required to register where they acquired UK land or property on or after 6 October 2020, became liable to UK tax, or met certain UK business relationship criteria.

From 30 June 2026, registration requirements are extended to include certain non-UK trusts that:

• Acquired UK land or property before 6 October 2020, and
• Continue to hold that property on or after 30 June 2026.

A transitional deadline applies, meaning affected trusts generally have until 1 September 2027 to register.

This brings a previously excluded group of trusts within the TRS regime and reflects the Government's continued focus on increasing transparency over ownership of UK assets.

These changes also extend existing TRS data-sharing provisions to these trusts, meaning information held on the register may be shared with third parties in certain circumstances where there is a legitimate interest under the anti-money laundering regime.

New exemption for low-value trusts

Alongside the expansion in scope, a new de minimis exemption has been introduced for certain low-value, non-taxable trusts which are considered to present minimal money laundering risk.

The qualifying conditions are detailed and should be considered carefully, but broadly, a trust must not:

1. hold any interest in UK land;
2. have held property exceeding £10,000 since it was created;
3. have an annual income of more than £5,000; or
4. hold assets such as art, antiques or other non-financial assets worth more than £2,000 that could increase in value over time.

Trustees of existing trusts that meet the criteria may wish to review whether they may now be removed from the register.

More time for death-related trusts

Another welcome change relates to trusts that arise following a person's death.

Historically, some trusts created as part of estate administration benefited from a two-year grace period before TRS registration was required, while others faced significantly shorter deadlines.

The new rules extend the two-year registration window to a wider range of trusts arising on death including those created via deed of variation and co-ownership property trusts which lost their exemption on the death of the settlor.

This change should provide greater consistency across different types of death-related trust arrangements and help to simplify administration for executors and families during which is often a difficult period.

Scottish survivorship arrangements excluded

The reforms also introduce a specific exclusion for Scottish survivorship destination trusts from 30 June 2026.

These arrangements arise automatically under Scottish property law and are generally considered low risk from an anti-money laundering perspective. Their formal exclusion from the TRS provides welcome clarity for trustees.

Key considerations

While some of the reforms reduce compliance obligations, the overall direction of travel remains clear.

HMRC and the Government continue to place increasing emphasis on transparency, beneficial ownership reporting and the use of data to identify potential areas of non-compliance.

Trustees should therefore avoid assuming that historic trust arrangements remain outside the registration regime. Long-standing structures, particularly those involving overseas elements or UK property, may now need to be reconsidered.

What trustees should do now

Trustees may wish to:

• Review existing trust structures and registration status.
• Identify any non-UK trusts holding UK property acquired before October 2020.
• Consider whether trusts currently registered may qualify for the new de minimis exemption and may be eligible for removal from the register
• Check whether any death-related trusts benefit from the extended registration window.
• Ensure trust information remains accurate and up to date on the TRS.

We’re here to help

The TRS rules remain complex and the consequences of failing to register, or maintain accurate records, can be significant.

Our tax team can help determine whether a trust needs to register, assess the impact of the new rules, complete registrations and ensure ongoing compliance obligations are met.

If you are a trustee and would like to discuss how the 30 June 2026 changes affect you, please get in touch.