Prepare for Higher Dividend Tax

Post Author:

Rona Burns

Date Posted:

February 22, 2023

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The tax you pay on dividends increased by 1.25 percentage points from 6 April 2022; these higher rates will remain in place for 2023/2024.

The dividend allowance will be cut from £2,000 to £1,000 on 6 April 2023 and cut again to £500 in April 2024. You pay zero tax on dividends which fall within that allowance. Any additional dividends are charged to tax at a rate dependent on which tax band they fall into (see table below).

Where different shareholders in your company hold slightly different classes of shares, the dividends paid out can be tailored to the shareholder’s needs.

The company needs to have sufficient retained profits to extract as dividends and you should first check that the cash is not needed for other purposes, such as paying tax bills or investment in plant.

We can calculate how much you can extract from your company as dividends in 2022/2023, without pushing you into higher tax bands.

Dividends falling within: Rate charged
Basic rate band 8.75%
Higher rate band 33.75%
Top rate band 39.35%

 

The information in this blog provides only an overview of HMRC guidance and legislation in force at the date of publication and no action should be taken without consulting the detailed HMRC guidance and legislation or seeking professional advice.  Therefore no responsibility for loss occasioned by any person acting or refraining from action as a result of the material contained in this blog can be accepted by the firm.