When Are Trust Taxes Due? Income, Gift & Estate Deadlines

Trusts are legal arrangements that hold assets for the benefit of designated beneficiaries. Like individuals and businesses, trusts can have various tax obligations, which depend on their structure and the income they generate. Understanding these deadlines is important for managing a trust’s financial responsibilities, as they vary based on the type of tax involved, such as income, gift, or estate taxes.

Trust Income Tax Deadlines

Most trusts operate on a calendar year for income tax purposes. For these trusts, the U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts, Form 1041, is due by April 15 of the year following the tax year. For example, income earned in 2024 would require a Form 1041 filing by April 15, 2025. If April 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline shifts to the next business day.

Trusts must make estimated income tax payments if they expect to owe at least a certain amount of tax for the year. These payments are made in four installments throughout the year. The deadlines for these estimated tax payments are April 15, June 15, and September 15 of the current tax year, and January 15 of the following year. These dates also shift to the next business day if they fall on a weekend or holiday.

The responsibility for paying income tax depends on whether a trust is classified as a grantor trust or a non-grantor trust. In a grantor trust, the grantor, who created and funded the trust, retains certain controls or interests. For tax purposes, the trust’s income is treated as the grantor’s own income, and the grantor is responsible for reporting it on their personal income tax return, Form 1040.

Conversely, a non-grantor trust is a separate taxable entity. This type of trust files its own Form 1041 and pays taxes on any income it retains. If a non-grantor trust distributes income to its beneficiaries, that income is taxed to the beneficiaries, not the trust itself. This distinction dictates whether the trust or the grantor (or beneficiaries) has the direct income tax filing and payment obligations.

Gift Tax Deadlines

When gifts are made through or involving a trust, particularly if they exceed certain annual limits, a U.S. Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return, Form 709, is required. The deadline for filing Form 709 is April 15 of the year following the gift. For instance, gifts made in 2024 that necessitate a Form 709 would be reported by April 15, 2025.

The annual gift tax exclusion determines if Form 709 is necessary. For 2025, an individual can give up to $19,000 to any one person without triggering a gift tax reporting requirement. If gifts to a single recipient exceed this annual exclusion amount, or if certain types of gifts like future interests are made, a Form 709 must be filed.

If an individual obtains an extension to file their personal income tax return (Form 1040), this extension also extends the deadline for filing Form 709. An extension to file does not extend the time to pay any gift tax due.

Estate Tax Deadlines

The U.S. Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return, Form 706, is required for certain estates. The deadline for filing Form 706 is nine months after the date of the decedent’s death. For example, if an individual passes away on June 1, 2025, the estate’s Form 706 would be due by March 1, 2026.

This filing requirement applies when the gross estate, combined with any adjusted taxable gifts made during the decedent’s lifetime, exceeds the federal estate tax exemption amount. For 2025, this exemption amount is $13.99 million per individual. Even if no estate tax is ultimately owed, a Form 706 is still required if the estate’s value surpasses this threshold.

Trusts can be included in the gross estate for estate tax purposes, depending on how they were structured and the control the decedent retained over them. For instance, assets held in a revocable trust are included in the decedent’s gross estate. The executor or personal representative of the estate is responsible for ensuring this return is filed by the deadline.

Obtaining Extensions

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides extensions if additional time is needed to prepare and file a trust-related tax return. For the U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts (Form 1041), an automatic 5.5-month extension can be secured by filing Form 7004. This form must be submitted by the original due date of the Form 1041.

For the U.S. Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return (Form 709), an extension to file an individual income tax return (Form 1040) extends the gift tax return deadline. If a standalone extension for Form 709 is required, Form 8892 can be filed, providing an automatic six-month extension.

To extend the deadline for the U.S. Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return (Form 706), a six-month extension can be requested by filing Form 4768. This form must be submitted by the original nine-month due date of the Form 706. While these forms grant an extension of time to file the return, they do not extend the time to pay any tax due. Any tax liabilities must still be paid by their original due dates to avoid potential penalties and interest.