the Shape of Money logo about us newsletter contact us site map search legal
Home #

Shares

bl		 bl

Dividend imputation credits

Dividend imputation credits (or tax credits) are essentially a credit back on your tax. You're required to pay tax on the dividend income you receive through owning shares. But, if a New Zealand company has already paid tax on its income, and then distributed the dividends to you, taxing you would be taxing the same profits a second time; the Government would be "double dipping".

The way it works, then, is that you pay the tax on your dividend income and claim a credit back based on the imputation credit attached to your dividend payment.

Dividends are either fully, partially or not imputed. The effect of the imputation credit will depend on your marginal tax rate and this may, potentially, affect your overall investment decision.

The following example assumes that the company has 100% imputation credits attached.

19.5% marginal
tax rate		 33% marginal
tax rate		 39% marginal
tax rate
Company Income $100 $100 $100
Less company tax
at 100%		 ($33) ($33) ($33)
After tax income
available for
distribution		 $67 $67 $67
Personal tax on
dividend income		 $19.50 $33 $39
Less imputation
credit		 ($33) ($33) ($33)
Tax to pay (credit) ($13.50) Nil $6
Dividend $67 $67 $67
Tax to (pay) credit $13.50 Nil ($6)
Net income to
investor		 $80.50 $67 $61

Notes

  • An agreement (from 1 April 2003) between the New Zealand and Australian Governments means that Australian companies can now attach imputation credits to dividends paid to their New Zealand shareholders.
  • You need other income to offset your imputation credit, as the Inland Revenue won't refund a cash sum.
back