Buying properties in trust – What does it mean for property owners with children in light of the cooling measures?

Some people purchase properties to live in, while others buy them as investment pieces. For the latter, they usually have to contend with taxes and duties such as Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD). 

In mid-December 2021, the government announced a slew of cooling measures intended to dampen the exuberance in the property market. 

Measures include ABSD increases for those looking to buy a second or subsequent property. ABSD is now levied at 17% for second homes and 25% for third and subsequent properties. First-time home buyers are not affected by the increase. 

In Singapore, any individual below 21 years of age does not have the legal capacity to own private property in their own name. However, parents may use their child’s name to acquire another property under a trust. The parents will remain legal owners of the property, while the child becomes the beneficiary. 

What is a trust?

A trust is an arrangement that allows one person (trustee) to hold assets on behalf of another (beneficiary). It can comprise a variety of assets, including cash, stocks, family businesses and, with this article, property. 

There are 3 parties involved in a trust.

• Settlor. The person or entity who created the trust and usually the one who owns the assets.
• Trustee. This is often a lawyer who is entrusted with the legal title to the property and administers the trust. The settlor can also be the trustee. 
• Beneficiary/Trustor. The person is entitled to the proceeds from the trust. 

Does it make sense to buy properties under a trust to avoid ABSD?

Sometimes current property owners seeking to avoid the hefty ABSD fees purchase properties under a trust. Do note, however, that the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) will evaluate the beneficiary of the trust. ABSD rules will still apply if the beneficiary owns more than one property.

Let’s look at an example of a family doing so: Here’s the Lee family, which comprises Mr and Mrs Koh and their 5-year-old daughter, Holly.

Mr and Mrs Koh decide to purchase a private condo in Queenstown, with Holly as the beneficiary. This is young Holly’s first property; thus, no ABSD is payable.

Holly’s parents will handle all legal responsibilities and liabilities. When Holly turns 21, the property immediately belongs wholly to her, and she has to assume those responsibilities. Should she decide to purchase another property with her spouse, she will need to pay ABSD as it will be considered her second property.

We’ve covered some pros and cons if property buyers are doing so with similar intent.

Local crypto billionaire buying GCB under trust

Recently, local crypto billionaire Zhu Su bought a S$48.8 million GCB in the Kilburn Estate Area with his 3-year-old child as the beneficiary. 

How much ABSD he would’ve had to pay if he bought it under his name as a second (or third) property? Let’s break it down.

Assuming it was his second property, he saved an eye-watering S$8.2 million as a Singapore citizen. If that estate were his third property, he would have saved more than S$12.2 million. That’s a lot of money saved.

To find out how much ABSD you have to pay if you decide to buy a second property, you can use 99.co’s affordability calculator. 

Main motivations behind setting up trusts

The most common motivation behind creating a trust is to give the beneficiary a pillar of financial support. 

There are other reasons, such as:

Estate preservation and financial planning. Geared toward the wealthy and super-wealthy class such as Zhu Su, establishing a trust protects the assets in the trust from being taken out of one’s control. This might happen during events such as forced heirship laws, where the state determines inheritance instead of one’s will.

Protection of assets. Under an irrevocable trust, creditors cannot seize the property if the settlor undergoes a divorce or declares bankruptcy. Personal creditors of the settlor are not entitled to claim the trust property to satisfy, and debts owed to them.

An irrevocable trust must have been set up for over five years prior to bankruptcy to protect the property. This is because the terms of the trust cannot be changed, unlike that of a revocable trust. If the trust is revocable, a court might demand that the settlor end the trust to repay creditors. 

When will the trustee attain the legal title? 

Once the beneficiary is 21 years old, the trust will be ended, and the legal title passed to the child. 

Once the trust ends, the beneficiary is the complete owner of the property and must assume full responsibility for all taxes and mortgages. Parents can also specify in the trust deed for their child to inherit their property at a later time, such as a specific age or occasion. 

How much does it cost to set up a trust?

There are many types of trusts. Establishing a trust can range from a few thousand dollars to S$20,000 or more. This is highly dependent on the law firm and the complexity of the arrangements. There may also be annual maintenance fees. 

What properties can be trust properties?

Both HDB and private properties can be trust properties. HDB flats will require prior written approval from HDB before a settlor can create the trust. 

Properties purchased to be held on trust will need to be fully paid for in cash. It will also be near impossible to secure a bank loan. However, since taking this route is usually taken by the wealthy, it will hardly be an issue for them. 

Legal implications 

Property fees. Parents manage the trust property. This means handling all the legal responsibilities and liabilities, such as paying the relevant taxes and duties. 

Income taxable. If the property earns income, such as through rent, the income is considered the parents’ statutory income. This income is subject to income tax at a flat rate of 17%. 

Future homes will incur ABSD. Children whose parents purchased a property under their name will incur ABSD for any future property purchases. If they wish to avoid ABSD, they will need to sell their current property.  

Conclusion

If you intend to buy the property as a gift for your child and can cover all related costs, there won’t be a problem stow it under a trust. It’s a great gift, seeing as property prices are always on a consistent uptrend, and there’s no doubt it’ll be quite the nest egg once your child is of legal age to take over the property.

However, if you’re planning on using the trust to skirt around paying ABSD, you run the risk of being found guilty under Section 33A of the Stamp Duties Act (SDA). Under this act, the Commissioner of Stamp Duties will slap you with a hefty fine on top of paying back the ABSD.

Thinking of buying a property under your child’s name? Let us know in the comments section below or on our Facebook post.

If you found this article helpful, check out Buying property under your child’s name: Is it a good idea? and Why you shouldn’t put properties in your child’s name.

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