Section 91.156. Trusts

(a) Transfers to ordinary trusts. A transfer of real estate for no or nominal consideration to an ordinary trust is fully taxable unless the transfer of the same real estate would be wholly excluded if the transfer was made directly from the grantor to all of the possible beneficiaries who have a remainder interest or who are otherwise entitled to receive the real estate or the proceeds from the sale of the real estate as a beneficiary under the terms of the trust, whether or not the beneficiaries are contingent or specifically named.

Example: G transfers real estate to a trust without consideration for the use of B, G’s spouse, for life. Under the trust, the remainder interest is vested in G’s church. As a direct transfer to the religious organization would be taxable, the transfer to the trust is fully taxable.

(b) Contingent beneficiaries. A trust provision which identifies a contingent beneficiary by reference to the heirs of the trust settlor as determined by the laws of intestate succession will by itself neither qualify nor disqualify a transfer from the exemption provided by subsection (a).

(c) Transfers to living trusts.

(1) A transfer for no or nominal actual consideration to a trustee of a living trust from the settlor of the living trust is excluded from tax.

(2) A transfer for no or nominal actual consideration to a trustee of a living trust from a grantor other than the settlor is fully taxable unless the transfer of the real estate would be wholly excluded if the transfer was made directly from the grantor to the settlor.

(d) Transfers from ordinary trusts. A transfer from an ordinary trust is fully taxable except for a transfer for no or nominal actual consideration from the trustee to the person who has the vested remainder interest or who is otherwise entitled to receive the real estate or the proceeds from the sale of the real estate as a beneficiary under the terms of the trust.

(e) Inter vivos transfers from living trusts.

(1) A transfer from the trustee of a living trust during the settlor’s lifetime to a grantee other than the settlor will be treated as if the transfer were made directly from the settlor to the grantee.

(2) A transfer from the trustee of a living trust to its settlor is excluded from tax, irrespective of who conveyed the real estate to the trustee. However, if the grantor who conveyed the real estate to the trustee is the settlor’s family member as defined in § 91.193(b)(6) (relating to excluded transactions), the provisions of § 91.193(b)(6)(ii) apply to a subsequent transfer.

(f) Transfers from testamentary trusts and living trusts after the death of the settlor. A transfer of real estate from the trustee of a testamentary trust or a living trust after the death of its settlor is exempt from tax only if the transfer is made for no or nominal actual consideration and to the person who, under the governing instrument of the trust, has the vested remainder interest or who is otherwise entitled to receive the real estate or the proceeds from the sale of the real estate as a beneficiary under the terms of the trust.

(g) Requirement for exemption. An exemption will not be granted under this section unless the recorder of deeds is presented with a copy of the trust agreement.

The provisions of this § 91.156 adopted September 9, 1988, effective September 10, 1988, 18 Pa.B. 4096; amended December 14, 2007, effective December 15, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 6516. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (233367).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 91.156 issued under section 1107-C of the Tax Reform Code of 1971 (72 P. S. § 8107-C).

Cross References

This section cited in 61 Pa. Code § 91.193 (relating to excluded transactions).