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  • The dividend or distribution statement

    Attention

    Warning:

    This information may not apply to the current year. Check the content carefully to ensure it is applicable to your circumstances.

    End of attention

    If an Australian company pays or credits you with a dividend or a non-share dividend, the company must also send you a dividend statement or distribution statement advising:

    • the name of the entity making the distribution
    • the date on which the distribution was made
    • the amount of the distribution
    • the amount of any franking credit allocated to the distribution
    • the franking percentage for the distribution
    • where the distribution is unfranked, a statement to that effect
    • where the distribution is franked, the franked part and the unfranked part
    • where any or all of the unfranked amount of the distribution has been declared to be conduit foreign income, the portion so declared
    • the amount of tax file number (TFN) withholding tax withheld if you have not quoted your TFN to the company.

    Example 1: Payment of dividends

    On 15 February 2021, an Australian resident company Coals Tyer Ltd paid John, a resident individual, a fully franked dividend of $700 and an unfranked dividend of $200. John received the dividend statement from Coals Tyer Ltd.

    End of example

    We will follow the Coals Tyer Ltd example through the next few sections of this guide to see what John needs to do with the information.

    Example 2: Assessable divided income

    John's assessable income for 2020–21 in respect of the dividend is:

    Dividend

    Value $

    Unfranked dividend received

    200

    Franked dividend received

    700

    Franking credit

    300

    Total assessable dividend income

    1,200

    If these were the only dividends John was paid or credited with for the income year, he can transfer these amounts directly to item 11 Dividends on his 2021 tax return.

    End of example

     

    Example 3: Shareholder dividend statement

    Coals Tyer Limited ABN 00 000 000 000 Payment date: 15 February 2021 Shareholder dividend statement Notification of 2020 final dividend - paid 15 February 2021 Security description: ordinary shares Number of shares: 6,400 Unfranked amount: $200 Franked amount: $700 Franking credit: $300 TFN amount: nil Net dividend: $900 Please note that your tax file number has been received and recorded. Please retain this advice for taxation purposes as a charge may be levied for a replacement. Please advise promptly in writing of any change of address.

    End of example
    Last modified: 27 May 2021QC 64914