04/06/2026
What if your trust is mismanaged?
The answer could cost you everything.
Most people think registering a trust locks in protection forever. It does not.
If a trust is mismanaged, SARS or the Master of the High Court can investigate and dissolve it if it is not managed according to legal requirements.
In South Africa, trusts fall under the Trust Property Control Act, and both the Master of the High Court and SARS have authority to act if your trust falls out of compliance.
Annual financial statements run between five thousand and fifteen thousand rand. SARS tax filings cost two thousand to ten thousand rand or more each year. Skipping these is what triggers investigations.
Paying ten thousand to thirty thousand rand to register a trust means nothing if you ignore ongoing obligations. Dissolution wipes out that protection completely.
A trust only protects you if you maintain it. Non-compliance can end it.
Get the full breakdown of trust registration and ongoing costs by visiting our website using the link below.
Disclaimer: The legal information provided in this episode is for general informational purposes only and may not fully reflect the latest legal developments for your unique circumstances.