Is a Qualified Disability Trust Right For Your Estate Plan?

Many individuals engaging in estate planning opt to create a third-party special needs trust to provide for their loved one living with a disability. However, did you know that these trusts may have to pay taxes on any income generated from the trust assets and retained by the trust for future use? If the trust is a qualified disability trust (QDT), it can minimize unnecessary tax consequences.

What Type of Trust Qualifies?

To qualify as a QDT, a trust must meet the following basic requirements:

• It must be irrevocable.

• The beneficiaries must be disabled and receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Additionally, the trust must have been established for their benefit before they turn 65.
• It cannot be a grantor trust and must be a separate tax-paying entity. So, for example, a first-party or self-settled special needs trust cannot qualify.
• Any remaining amount in the trust may be transferrable to nondisabled beneficiaries once the disabled beneficiaries are deceased.

Why Choose a Qualified Disability Trust?

If a trust meets these requirements, it can reap significant tax benefits. Without the QDT designation, a trust normally may exempt up to $100 to $300 of income it generates from taxation, depending on whether it is required to distribute all its income. However, a QDT may take an exemption equal to what an individual filing a personal income tax return may take. Per the Internal Revenue Code, this is $5,000 plus an annual adjustment for inflation.

In addition to the exemption, an individual benefits from more favorable tax brackets on income than a trust. A QDT also gets this benefit. For tax years starting after 2023, the highest income trust bracket for a trust applies to amounts over $15,200, and the highest tax rate for trusts is 37 percent. In contrast, an individual taxpayer is not taxed at the highest rate of 37 percent until their income reaches $609,3500 or more.

This preferred tax treatment can make a difference, especially when a trust wishes to retain income for future use. Alternatively, a trust may not want to distribute all income. This way, it can protect beneficiaries from losing means-tested benefits such as Medicaid or SSI. Paying fewer taxes on retained income means more is left over for beneficiaries.

A QDT will have to file a tax form called Form 1041 to receive these benefits every year. A trust may need the assistance of a tax professional. However, this expense is well worth it when you consider the potential tax savings.

Estate Planning Tips

If you are setting up a special needs trust through your will, a best practice tip is to avoid vague terms and specifically name the beneficiary of the anticipated QDT. This will allow them to elect the QDT treatment on appropriate tax forms.

You should also carefully select your trustee. A trustee of a QDT will have serious fiduciary responsibilities that can last a lifetime. They should be financially savvy and willing to invest time and resources in correctly maintaining and administering a QDT. This includes keeping up with all annual tax filings.

By engaging in proper planning when setting up a special needs trust for your loved ones, you are setting them up for a better and brighter future. Working with an attorney to set up your trust correctly to qualify for QDT status may make an immeasurable difference in the lives of your beneficiaries.

For guidance in planning, consult with a qualified special needs planning attorney in your area.