When your trust or estate has been wound up or terminated so that all property has been distributed and there will be no further income, you should ask us to 'cease' the trust or estate.
You may need to provide a copy of the accounts to the date the trust or estate ceased, and the resolution or minutes showing that its assets have been distributed.
We can then close the account in our system.
Please ensure all taxes have been paid and all tax returns have been filed.
If the trust or estate is no longer earning income yet will still continue to hold assets, we will not be able to cease your account. Instead, you can tell us the trust or estate is non-active so it is not required to file income tax returns. If the trust or estate receives any income in the future, you will need to let us know. Our 'Trusts and tax residency' page has more information about non-active trusts and estates:
In most cases, a request to cease a trust or estate must be made in writing.
Before you start
You will need:
- The date of cessation.
- A copy of the trust or estate accounts to the cessation date.
- The resolution or minutes showing that the assets have been distributed.
Cease active tax accounts
Before we can cease your trust or estate you need to cease all other accounts.
How to cease a registration
Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Cancelling your GST registration
Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT)
Employer
File a trust or estate income tax return - IR6
You need to file a final IR6 income tax return, along with any required disclosures of distributions made to beneficiaries, up until the date the estate or trust is ceased.
File an IR6 trust or estate income tax return - IR6
Send us a request to cease your trust or estate
Remember to include:
- The date of cessation.
- A copy of the trust or estate accounts to the cessation date.
- The resolution or minutes showing that the assets have been distributed.
Log into myIR
You can post your request to:
Inland Revenue
PO Box 39010
Wellington Mail Centre
Lower Hutt 5045