Introduction

UK resident beneficiaries of non-resident trusts are subject to UK tax on payments or benefits received from the trust. They are liable for income tax on income distributions from the trust and they may also be liable to income tax or capital gains tax on payments of capital from the trust.

In contrast to UK settlors of non-resident trusts, the liability of beneficiaries is determined by the extent of their entitlement or the amounts actually paid to them. They have no UK tax liability in a year in which they have not benefited from the trust. See the Tax on UK resident settlors of non-resident trusts guidance note.

This guidance note provides an overview of the tax treatment of both income distributions and capital payments, and provides links to more detailed material.

Income or capital

In order to establish which tax provision applies, one must first