Last updated: 14 October 2026
How do you complete the trust and estate tax return?
The Trust and Estate Tax Return (SA900) is filed by trustees, or by personal representatives of an estate that can’t use HMRC’s informal payment procedure. You register the trust or estate with HMRC to get a UTR, then report the income and gains for each tax year from 6 April to 5 April, work out the tax at trust or estate rates, and file by 31 October on paper or 31 January online using commercial software. HMRC’s own online service doesn’t support the SA900.
When an estate needs an SA900
| Estate situation | Formal return needed? |
| Total tax due for the administration period under £10,000, estate under £2.5 million, sales by executors under £500,000 in the year | No; use informal payment |
| Any of those limits exceeded | Yes |
| Income only from savings interest under £500 a year | No tax return; covered by the £500 estate exemption from 2024/25 |
Main sections of the SA900
- Pages 1 to 3: details of the trust or estate, type and residence
- Income: interest, dividends, rental income and trading income
- Capital gains (SA905): disposals of property and shares
- Trust calculations: standard rate band (abolished from 2024/25), trust rate
- Payments to beneficiaries: for discretionary trusts, with the tax pool
- Declaration
Tax rates for 2026/27
| Income | Estates | Discretionary trusts |
| Dividends | 10.75% | 39.35% |
| Savings and rental income | 20% | 45% |
| Capital gains (all assets) | 24% | 24% |
Trusts and estates with income of £500 or less don’t pay income tax on it. Trust annual exempt amount for CGT is £1,500.
Example
The executors of Ann’s estate collect £14,000 of rent from her house before selling it 18 months after her death. The estate exceeds the informal limits because the sale is above £500,000. They register the estate online, obtain a UTR, and file an SA900 for each tax year, paying 20% on the rental profit and 24% CGT on the gain since death, less the £3,000 annual exempt amount.
Supplementary pages
- SA901: trading
- SA903: property
- SA904: foreign income
- SA905: capital gains
- SA907: non-residence
Common mistakes
- Using HMRC’s individual online service, which doesn’t accept SA900s
- Not registering on the Trust Registration Service when required
- Missing R185 certificates for beneficiaries
- Applying the £3,000 exemption to a trust (it’s £1,500)
Records to keep
Keep estate accounts, bank interest certificates, rental records and sale completion statements for each tax year.
Deadlines and penalties
Register a new trust or estate with HMRC by 5 October after the end of the first tax year it has income or gains. The paper return is due by 31 October and the online return and any tax by 31 January. Late filing brings a £100 penalty, with more after 3, 6 and 12 months, and interest on late tax. If the estate is wound up part-way through a year, the final return can be filed early to help with closing the estate.
Frequently asked questions
Who signs the return?
A trustee or personal representative.
Can an accountant file it?
Yes, using commercial software.
Do bare trusts file an SA900?
No, beneficiaries report the income.
What is an R185?
A certificate of income and tax for beneficiaries.
Related: contacting HMRC about inheritance tax, inherited property profit and jointly owned inherited property.
Talk to Accotax
Want this handled for you? Our team at Accotax can help with trust and estate returns. See our inheritance tax planning service, or contact us for a free, no-obligation quote.
This page is general guidance based on HMRC rules for the 2026/27 tax year, checked against gov.uk on 14 October 2026. It is not personal advice, so speak to an accountant about your own situation.
