Dividend distribution tax

Dividend distribution tax is the tax imposed by the Indian Government on companies according to the dividend paid to a company's investors.

At present, the dividend distribution tax is 15% on the gross amount of dividend as per Section 115O. Therefore the effective rate of DDT comes out to 17.65% on the amount of dividend excluding surcharge and cess.[1] according to the Union Budget 2007, India.

The company has to deposit DDT within 14 days of declaration, distribution or payment of dividend whichever is the earlier. In case of non-payment within 14 days, the company shall have to pay interest at the rate of 1% of the DDT.

As per existing tax provisions, income from dividends is tax free in the hands of the investor.Further the dividends from domestic companies are tax-exempt, dividend from foreign companies are taxable in hands of investor.However, this is not to say that there is no tax levied at all. On the contrary, there is a levy of 15.00% of the dividend declared as distribution tax(Under Income tax Act,1961). This tax is paid out of the profits/reserves of the company declaring the dividend. Additional surcharge of 12% on DDT and education cess of 3% is levied.

From 2016, the investors earning dividends above 10 lakhs per annum will have to pay an additional tax of 10%.[2]

The Mutual fund companies also have to pay DDT.The rates are as under: a) On Debt oriented funds - DDT shall be 25 percent. b) Equity-oriented funds - DDT shall be 10 percent.(Earlier this was exempt. This tax has been made applicable from Budget 2018).

References

  1. ↑ "Hike in dividend distribution tax upsets corporate sector". The Hindu Business Line. 2007-02-28. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  2. ↑ "Budget 2016: Dividends above Rs 10 lakh to attract additional 10% tax - The Economic Times". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
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