Completion of question 20.1 on the Trusts and Estate Tax Return (SA900)

HMRC released the following statement to CIOT and the other professional bodies on 9 December 2020:

“HMRC recognises that this is the first year in which trustees have been able to meet their obligations to keep the trust register updated. As explained in the August 2020 Trusts and Estates Newsletter, trustees and agents should ensure that box 20.1 on the SA900 return reflects whether the register has been updated or if a ‘no change’ declaration has been made at the time the return is submitted. However, HMRC will not automatically charge penalties if the box has not been ticked and the register was not updated before the 31 January deadline. Instead HMRC will take a pragmatic approach to charging penalties, particularly where it is clear that trustees or agents have made every effort to meet their obligations.

Trustees and agents do not need to submit an amended return if they have updated the register, or made a ‘no change’ declaration, after the original return was submitted and the only change to the information on the original return is a tick in box 20.1.”