The desirability of pre migration Trust   25 Oct 2006

Ross Holmes Trusts Limited

PRE MIGRATION TRUST: For many reasons UK citizens and returning Kiwis are considering a change of life style and heading down to New Zealand for that change. UK citizens have a once only opportunity to gift assets at once to a Trust before you become resident and domiciled in New Zealand.

This opportunity will be lost when you become domiciled in New Zealand.

There is no gift duty in the United Kingdom. Over the last few months use of trusts in the UK has been seriously curtailed in that any personal assets gifted to a trust valued over the nil rate bank of £285,000 per person (£570,000 per couple) will be subject to a lifetime inheritance tax charge of 20% with ongoing periodic charges and exit charges levied on distributions made or imposed at the 10 year anniversary of the trust.

New Zealand does not have these problems it has no inheritance tax or estate duty, stamp duty or land development tax.

The rich accept that trusts are normal. They use trusts as their cornerstone investment ownership vehicle. It is far safer to adopt the methods which the wealthy have successfully used for centuries. By using a trust in New Zealand you can maximise your chances of financial success and security.

New Zealand tax incentives for new migrants

In April 2006 the New Zealand Government amended the 2004 Income Tax Act to provide a new four year exemption on foreign sourced income for new migrants to New Zealand and returning New Zealanders who have been non-resident for tax purposes for 10 years or longer. These persons are now known as "transitional residents". The exemption has been extended to Trusts where a New Zealand Settlor is a transitional resident.

These new rules will provide an exemption from Income Tax to transitional residents for income derived from any country other than New Zealand in the form of dividends, interest, rents and an exemption from the application of the Foreign Investment Fund regime.

The exemption will last for a period of 48 months commencing from the first day of the month in which the individual acquires a "Permanent Place of Abode" in New Zealand". Judicial decisions have held that a "Permanent Place of Abode" is a test considering the strength of the relationship an individual has with New Zealand.

Assets placed into a New Zealand Trust below the nil band for UK Inheritance Tax Purposes will not attract New Zealand Income Tax providing the income is not generated in New Zealand and will not attract the UK 20% Lifetime Inheritance Tax.

More information on New Zealand trusts can be obtained from www.rossholmes.co.nz.

Before considering the move or return to New Zealand we highly recommend that you seek professional advice pertaining to your personal circumstances.

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