The validity of trust distributions is being scrutinised more and more frequently, with challenges arising not only from Australian Taxation Office reviews or audits, but also from beneficiaries questioning the trustee's management of the trust or their use of discretion in family succession disputes.

It is crucial to address the significant implications of invalid trust income distributions, identifying issues which result in a distribution being invalid and determine the appropriate steps to take when an invalid distribution is detected.

During our first session, we'll delve into the following topics:

• The historical context of trust distributions.

• An analysis of common and uncommon reasons leading to invalid trust distributions.

• Recent legal cases surrounding trust formalities.

• A deep dive into the taxation of invalid trust appointments.

Additionally, we will examine the effects of a "balance" appointment, and provide insights on its implications in relation to invalid trust distributions.