Overview

As SARS strengthens its trust compliance programme through enhanced third-party reporting, automated data matching and increased scrutiny of trust structures, accurate completion of the 2026 Trust Income Tax Return (ITR12T) has become more important than ever. This webinar provides a practical, step-by-step guide to completing the 2026 ITR12T, while explaining the latest filing requirements, common errors and SARS verification triggers. Participants will gain the knowledge and practical skills needed to prepare compliant trust returns, manage supporting documentation and confidently navigate the SARS eFiling process.

Webinar Content

This webinar covers the key legislative, technical and practical aspects of completing the 2026 Trust Income Tax Return (ITR12T), including:

• Legislative and administrative requirements for trust tax compliance.
• Filing obligations, deadlines and representative taxpayer responsibilities.
• Understanding the structure and functionality of the ITR12T.
• Step-by-step completion of all sections of the return.
• Reporting trust income, capital gains, deductions and beneficiary allocations.
• Correct application of the conduit principle.
• IT3(t) reporting and beneficiary-level reporting requirements.
• Reconciling Annual Financial Statements with the tax return.
• Preparing supporting documentation for SARS verification.
• Identifying common completion errors and SARS audit triggers.
• Practical guidance on managing SARS verification requests and using SARS eFiling effectively.
• An overview of the latest SARS compliance initiatives, filing enhancements and 2026 filing season updates.

Competencies Development

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Understand the legislative framework governing trust income tax returns.
• Determine when a trust is required to submit an ITR12T.
• Complete the 2026 ITR12T accurately and efficiently.
• Apply the conduit principle correctly when allocating income and capital gains.
• Report beneficiary distributions in accordance with SARS requirements.
• Reconcile trust financial statements with the tax return.
• Prepare supporting schedules and documentation suitable for SARS verification.
• Identify and correct common filing errors before submission.
• Recognise SARS compliance risks, verification triggers and audit red flags.
• Minimise the risk of penalties through accurate trust reporting.
• Confidently submit the ITR12T via SARS eFiling and interpret the resulting assessment.

Presenter

Cheryl Howard 

Cheryl is a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years’ experience in high-net-worth client advisory, specialising in tax, estate planning, and fiduciary services. She began her career at Deloitte and later worked at SNG Grant Thornton before joining BoE Private Bank, where she led private client and fiduciary services in Johannesburg.

In 2000, Cheryl established her own family office practice, which she successfully ran until its sale in 2018. She later managed the South African office of an international fiduciary firm before relaunching her practice in 2023.

Cheryl is also an experienced presenter, writer, and coach, actively involved in developing professionals in the family office and fiduciary space. She has contributed to industry bodies including FISA and STEP, and has participated in SARS and National Treasury initiatives.

CPD

This event and successful completion of the online assessment will secure 2 hours verifiable output Tax CPD points per session.

Event Investment

Free for Tax Technician, Tax Practitioner, Tax Accountant CPD subscribers and Practice Packages. Not a CPD subscriber yet? Click here to register now.

• Regular price:  R460.00
• Group booking discounts available when you register for a group.

Payments & Cancellations

• All payments must be made by EFT or by credit card, at least 3 working days before commencement of an event.
• Kindly note that should payment not be received 2 days after the event, legal action will be taken
• Proof of payment will be requested at registration, if payment does not reflect on Tax Faculty's bank account.
• Cancellations:
  • Only written notice of cancellation will be recognized.
  • If the cancellation occurs more than 4 working days prior to the event no cancellation fee will be charged.
  • If the cancellation occurs less than 4 working days prior to the event a 100% cancellation fee will apply.
• Delegates who book and fail to attend will be liable for the full event fee.
• Tax Faculty`s liability in the case of an event being cancelled will be limited to a refund or credit of the event fee.
• Please click here for the full terms and conditions.