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Family trust elections: getting it right

 
 
 
 
 
Topic: Family trust elections

Recorded on: Tuesday 12 August 2025 | 12:30-2:30pm AEST

Family trust elections: getting it right

The ATO has sharpened its focus on family trust elections (FTEs), resulting in large, unexpected tax bills for family trust distribution tax (FTDT).

This session will provide a practical guide to understanding and managing FTEs, interposed entity elections (IEEs), and the potential adverse tax implications of making distributions outside the ‘family group’. With the ATO paying closer attention to trust distributions and compliance, staying across the FTE rules is more important than ever.

We will explore common traps, recent ATO guidance, and what you need to know to ensure your clients can steer clear of unexpected tax bills.

This session will cover:

  • Making valid FTEs and IEEs
  • Meaning of ‘distribution’
  • Consequences of distributing outside the ‘family group’
  • The inflexible design of FTDT, with its unlimited amendment period and lack of ATO power of discretion.

Panellists: 

  • Linda Tapiolas, Cooper Grace Ward Lawyers

 This session is brought to you by your QLD State Council