Agents remain unable to access the Trust Registration Service (TRS) after technical errors were identified in the system, HMRC has confirmed. However, the deadline for completing the register of a trust for self-assessment and providing beneficial ownership information remains 5 December 2017.

This news comes shortly after HMRC published its comprehensive guidance for the new online register of trusts on Monday 9 October, following the launch of the service in July 2017. This was to be the first phase, allowing trustees to access the TRS, and so ensuring that HMRC met with the basic legal requirements of the EU Fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive.

The second phase, allowing agents to access the TRS on behalf of trustees, was to be delivered in October. However HMRC has notified STEP that it has identified technical errors in the course of testing this phase. HMRC reassures us that it is resolving these issues as quickly as possible, so that the system works from the moment it is released.

HMRC has also reiterated the timeline, noting that there will be no penalty imposed where registration is completed after 5 October 2017 but before 5 December 2017.

HMRC has said it will provide STEP with an update next week. We will keep members informed.

• HMRC: Trust Registration Service (TRS) – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Simon Hodges is Director of Policy at STEP