T3 Trust Return

Tax

The T3 is the income tax return a trust or estate files annually, due 90 days after its tax year-end, reporting income earned and allocations to beneficiaries.

A trust files a T3 Trust Income Tax and Information Return to report its income and how it was distributed. The return is due 90 days after the trust's year-end, and most personal trusts use December 31, making the deadline March 31. Income paid to beneficiaries is deducted by the trust and taxed in their hands; income retained is taxed in the trust, usually at the top rate.

Expanded reporting rules now require many previously exempt trusts, including bare trusts, to file a T3 and a Schedule 15 disclosing beneficiaries, trustees and settlors, with steep penalties for non-compliance based on trust property value.

Example

A family trust with a December 31 year-end must file its T3 by March 31, reporting the year's income and issuing T3 slips for the amounts allocated to each beneficiary.

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T3 Trust Return Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions regarding our compliance workflows and service guarantees.

Ninety days after the trust's tax year-end. For the common December 31 year-end, that is March 31 (March 30 in a leap year).
Under the expanded rules, often yes. Many trusts, including bare trusts, must now file to report beneficial ownership even with no income, unless specifically exempt.
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