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When should dividends be declared?

Question:
Please can you let me know if dividends paid by a major plc to an individual shareholder should be declared on the individual’s personal tax return as of the effective date or the date the payment is received by the individual?

Arthur Weller replies:
Usually on the top right hand corner of the dividend voucher is the date that the dividend is declared by the company. This is the date that the recipient uses for tax purposes. It doesn't matter when the recipient actually receives the money.
Please can you let me know if dividends paid by a major plc to an individual shareholder should be declared on the individual’s personal tax return as of the effective date or the date the payment is received by the individual?
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This question was first printed in Business Tax Insider in September 2015.