A Delaware Statutory Trust, or DST, is a legal entity that can hold title to real estate and other assets. The essential advantage of a DST is its flexibility – it can be structured to fit the needs of the owners and investors. For example, a trust can be set up, so that income from the property flows through to the beneficiaries. It can be designed as an investment vehicle with units that trade on public exchanges.
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How are Delaware Statutory Trusts created?
Creating a Delaware Statutory Trust begins with filing articles of organization with the state of Delaware. Here is some specific information about the Delaware Statutory Trust. It includes name, purpose, and trustees. Once the organizational reports have been approved and filed, a trust agreement is drafted. It is executed by all parties who plan to invest in or own units of the DST.
How are Delaware Statutory Trusts taxed?
DSTs are subject to federal income tax on their taxable net income each year. They may also be subject to state taxes still only if they conduct business within that jurisdiction’s borders. For example, real estate held by a DST located outside of New York would not be subject to taxation. Such tax exemptions occur because these are operations inside its boundaries. A Delaware Statutory Trust is treated as an entity separate from its owners when filing its returns. This means that the trust’s income and expenses will not be reported on their returns.
What are pros and cons of Delaware statutory trust?
Let’s get into the Delaware statutory trust pros and cons:
Pros of a Delaware statutory trust
There are some critical pros of using a Delaware Statutory Trust. One of the key benefits of a Delaware Statutory Trust is that it offers asset protection from creditors. This way, if you are in a legal dispute and are ordered to pay damages, your assets will be safe and secure within the trust. A statutory trust is not considered a separate entity for tax purposes. The income and capital gains your trust’s investments generate will flow to the beneficiaries. It will not be subject to any extra taxes.
Another great feature of Delaware Statutory Trusts is their ability to avoid probate. When someone dies, their property must go through probate court. The property will be shared among the heirs or beneficiaries named in the deceased person’s will. The property is held in a statutory trust that passes to the beneficiaries upon the grantor’s death. This saves time and money for your loved ones during an already difficult time.
Delaware Statutory Trusts offer many benefits for families looking for financial security. These trusts provide asset protection from creditors. They avoid probate and allow income and capital gains to flow through to beneficiaries without being subject to taxes.
Another benefit of Delaware Statutory Trust is Flexibility. As mentioned earlier, trusts can be structured in many ways to fit the needs of the owners and investors. This flexibility is beneficial for real estate investments. Each property has its own unique set of circumstances. For example, a DST could hold a portfolio of properties rather than one property.
DST also has the benefit of pass-through taxation. As mentioned earlier, DSTs are subject to federal income tax. This tax is passed through to investors in the form of taxable income. This is different from a corporation subject to taxation at both the corporate and individual levels. It also helps the members to enjoy the advantages of Limited liability. Owners of a DST are protected from personal liability for the trust’s debts and obligations. If the trust owns property subject to legal action, this is especially important.
Cons of a Delaware statutory trust
One of the biggest cons to using a DST is that it may lose its favorable tax status if specific provisions are violated. This can be problematic since failure to comply with these rules results in some consequential penalties, including taxation on all income and capital gains generated by the property held within the trust, as well as loss of asset protection from creditors.
Another potential downside to using a DST is the high cost of creating and maintaining this type of trust. While these costs can vary depending on who you hire, they’re likely going to be higher with another entity such as an LLC or corporation.
Conclusion
If you want a safe and flexible way to invest your money, Delaware Statutory Trusts may be the right option for you. These trusts offer many benefits. The significant benefits include asset protection from creditors, avoidance of probate, and pass-through taxation. They are very safe investment vehicles due to state registration and the limited liability of owners. Contact us today to learn more about Delaware Statutory Trusts!
