For each franked distribution, a beneficiary can be assessed on an amount that includes all of the following:
- the amount of the distribution they are specifically entitled to
- their share of that part (if any) of a distribution to which no beneficiary is specifically entitled
- their share of the franking credit attached to the distribution (the franking credit gross-up).
To calculate the share of a franked distribution of a trust that a beneficiary or trustee is assessed on, and their share of any franking credit attached to the distribution, apply the following 3 steps.
Step 1: determine the share
A beneficiary or trustee's share of a franked distribution received by a trust is a dollar amount that comprises:
- for a beneficiary, any part of a franked distribution they are specifically entitled to
- for both beneficiaries and trustees, a proportionate share of any part of a franked distribution to which no beneficiary is specifically entitled.
A beneficiary or trustee's share of a franked distribution is based on the gross amount of the distribution (that is, the amount before deducting relevant expenses).
The beneficiary or trustee's proportionate share of any remaining franked distribution is worked out using their adjusted Division 6 percentage:
- A beneficiary's adjusted Division 6 percentage is the share of trust income they are entitled to, expressed as a percentage (excluding any franked distributions or capital gains any entity is specifically entitled to).
- The trustee's adjusted Division 6 percentage is the share of trust income to which no beneficiary is presently entitled, expressed as a percentage (excluding any franked distributions or capital gains any entity is specifically entitled to).
Step 2: the share as a percentage of the distribution
To work out the percentage of the distribution this share represents, divide the amount worked out at step 1 by the gross amount of the distribution and multiply by 100.
Step 3: determine the attributable franked distribution and share of franking credit
Attributable distribution
Multiply the trust's net franked distribution (that is, what's left of the franked distribution after deducting directly relevant expenses) by the percentage worked out at step 2. The result is an amount in dollars, which is the beneficiary or trustee's attributable franked distribution.
Share of franking credits
Multiply the amount of the franking credit attached to the distribution by the percentage worked out at step 2. The result is an amount in dollars.
The result of step 3 establishes both:
- the amount of the franking credit gross up that the beneficiary or the trustee includes in their assessable income, and
- the beneficiary or trustee's potential entitlement to the franking credit tax offset.
Using the franking credit offset is subject to meeting relevant integrity rules (such as the 45-day holding rule).
Example: tax treatment of trust franked distributions
In the 2019–20 income year, Lang Trust received $100,000 of rental income and a $70,000 fully franked distribution (with $30,000 of franking credits attached). The trust incurred $20,000 of expenses that related to the rental income.
Therefore, the trust's income is $150,000 ($100,000 minus $20,000 plus $70,000) and its net income is $180,000 ($150,000 income plus $30,000 franking credits).
The trust has 2 resident beneficiaries, Lucy and Hannah. Lucy is presently entitled to 50% of trust income (that is, $75,000). In accordance with a power under the deed, the trustee makes Hannah presently entitled to $50,000, which is recorded in the accounts as being referable to the franked distribution. The amount that Hannah is specifically entitled to is also $50,000, calculated as:
Franked distribution × (Share of net financial benefit ÷ Net financial benefit)
$70,000 ÷ ($50,000 ÷ $70,000) = $50,000
The remaining $20,000 of the franked distribution is an amount to which no beneficiary is specifically entitled.
In addition, the trustee resolves to make Hannah entitled to so much of the remainder of the trust's income as to make her total present entitlement equal to 50% of trust income. This has the effect of making Hannah entitled to an additional $25,000.
Neither Hannah nor Lucy is under a legal disability.
Working out Hannah and Lucy's shares of the franked distribution and attached franking credit
Step 1: Determine the share
Each beneficiary's share of that franked distribution is made up of both:
- any amount they are specifically entitled to
- their adjusted Division 6 percentage share of the part of the franked distribution to which no beneficiary is specifically entitled (that is, $70,000 less Hannah's specific entitlement to $50,000 = $20,000).
To work out each beneficiary's share of this remaining $20,000 of the franked distribution, they first need to work out their adjusted Division 6 percentage of trust income. This is done by:
- working out their present entitlement to trust income excluding any capital gains and franked distributions they are specifically entitled to
- expressing the result as a percentage of the amount of trust income excluding any franked distributions and capital gains any entity is specifically entitled to.
The trust's income excluding the amounts of franked distributions and capital gains to which any entity is specifically entitled is $100,000 ($150,000 income less $50,000 of Hannah's specific entitlement to the franked distribution).
Hannah's adjusted Division 6 percentage is calculated as:
Hannah's present entitlement to trust income ($75,000), less her specific entitlement to the franked distribution ($50,000) = $25,000
divided by $100,000 (being the trust income excluding amounts of capital gains and franked distributions any entity is specifically entitled to)
= 25%.
Lucy's adjusted Division 6 percentage is calculated as:
Lucy's present entitlement to trust income ($75,000)
divided by $100,000 (being trust income excluding amounts of capital gains and franked distributions any entity is specifically entitled to)
= 75%.
Each beneficiary's share of the franked distribution is made up of both:
- any amount they are specifically entitled to
- their adjusted Division 6 percentage share of the $20,000 franked distribution that no beneficiary is presently entitled to.
Therefore, the beneficiary's shares of the franked distribution are:
- Hannah: $50,000 + (25% × $20,000) = $55,000
- Lucy: $0 + (75% × $20,000) = $15,000.
Step 2: Work out the share as a percentage of the distribution
Divide the amount worked out at step 1 by the gross amount of the distribution and multiply by 100.
- Hannah: ($55,000 ÷ $70,000) × 100% = 78.57%
- Lucy: ($15,000 ÷ $70,000) × 100% = 21.43%
Step 3: Determine the attributable franked distribution and share of franking credit
The attributable distribution
Separately for Hannah and Lucy, multiply the amount of the trust's franked distribution net of directly relevant expenses by the percentage worked out at step 2.
Given that there are no expenses directly related to the franked distribution, the net franked distribution amount is the same as the gross franked distribution amount. The attributable franked distribution amount is:
- Hannah's share: $70,000 × 78.57% = $55,000
- Lucy's share: $70,000 × 21.43% = $15,000.
The share of franking credits
Separately for Hannah and Lucy, multiply the amount of the franking credit attached to the distribution ($30,000) by the percentage worked out at step 2:
- Hannah: $30,000 × 78.57% = $23,571
- Lucy: $30,000 × 21.43% = $6,429.
Hannah and Lucy's assessable income under Subdivision 207-B
Under the rules in Subdivision 207-B of the ITAA 1997, Hannah and Lucy's assessable income from the trust's franked distribution is:
- Hannah: $55,000 attributable franked distribution plus $23,571 share of franking credit = $78,571
- Lucy: $15,000 attributable franked distribution plus $6,429 share of franking credit = $21,429.
Assuming they meet the relevant integrity rules, Hannah and Lucy are both entitled to a tax offset equal to their share of the franking credit.
End of example