Private ruling: Resettlement of Trust
Date of advice: 31 October 2016
Published: February 2017
Ruling period: Year ending 30 June 20YY
Date scheme commenced: 1 July 20XX

Ruling: Q1: Will the proposed changes to the trust Deed give rise to CGT event E1, CGT event E2 or any other CGT event? | A1: No.

Relevant facts and circumstances: The terms of the Trust gives the power to the trustee to amend the terms of the Trust. You wish to change the provision of the Deed to extend the Vesting Date. The proposed variation will extend the date upon which the trust may vest to a maximum period of 80 years from the establishment of the trust.

Relevant legislative provisions: Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 104-55 | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 Section 104-60

Reasons for decision: Summary: CGT event E1 arises in accordance with section 104-55 of the ITAA 1997 due to a trust being created over a CGT asset. This event will also be triggered if changes made to a trust alter the nature and character of the trust relationship such that the original trust ceases to exist and a new trust is created. CGT event E2 arises in accordance with section 104-60 of the ITAA 1997 as a CGT asset is transferred to a new trust. Where this event occurs as a result of a trust resettlement, the assets are considered to be transferred from the original trust to the new trust. Taxation Determination TD 2012/21 sets out the Commissioner's view in respect to trust resettlements and whether or not a resettlement has occurred. TD 2012/21 asserts that a valid amendment to a trust will not result in CGT event E1 or E2 occurring provided: • the amendment is made pursuant to an existing power; • the amendment does not cause the trust to terminate for trust law purposes; and • the effect of the amendment does not lead to a particular asset being subject to a separate charter of rights and obligations such as to give rise to the conclusion that that asset has been settled on terms of a different trust. In this case, the proposed variations to the existing trust deed would be a valid amendment to the Trust, not resulting in a termination of the Trust, and will not result in the happening of CGT event E1, E2 or any other CGT event.