Dividends received from shares held in UK companies form part of a tax-payers self-assessment. The payments are made by the paying company without any deduction of tax and therefore the amount received is the sum that needs to be declared.

Share Of Profits

Dividends are paid out of the company’s retained profits – these are profits after any corporation tax has been paid – once these reserves are exhausted, it is illegal to declare or pay any further dividends.

Hybrid Tax Rates

Tax payable on dividends received by shareholders is not payable at income rates (20%, 40% or 45%), but as hybrid rates. The rates for 2018-19 are:

• The first £2,000 received – no tax is payable,
• Tax payer’s basic rate band for income tax purposes are taxed at 7.5%,
• Tax payer’s higher rate band for income tax purposes are taxed at 32.5%, and
• Tax payer’s additional rate band for income tax purposes are taxed at 38.1%.

What If?…

They form part of your basic rate and part of your higher rate, or additional rate tax bands?

In this case, any tax payable will be calculated using a combination of the 7.5%, 32.5%, and 38.1% rates.

The amount of the dividends you receive in the tax year 2018-19 are under £10,000 – but above £2,000 – and you do not submit a self-assessment tax return?

You will need to advise HMRC, who will adjust your code number, and collect any tax due via PAYE.

The dividends are over £10,000?

Then they must be declared on a self-assessment tax return.

The total you receive in this tax year are under the £2,000 tax-free allowance?

Then there is no need to inform HMRC.

If you think you paid too much tax on dividends on your last self-assessment form, contact us today to see how we can help.