French Withholding Tax on Dividends

Equaliser123

Hi all

I have some shares in a French company. My dividends are subject to 15% withholding tax based on the treaty that is in place between the UK and France.

I am not expecting to pay tax on my dividends this year as it will fall within the dividend tax allowance. My question is - can I reclaim the withholding tax and, if so, how?

Many thanks.

molerat

https://the-international-investor.com/investment-faq/reclaiming-withholding-tax-foreign-dividends

Equaliser123

Thanks but that article is about reclaiming where the amount withheld exceeds that under the double-taxation treaty.

My issue is that under my personal tax situation, no tax is due but the dividend has been subject to withholding tax under the treaty (i.e. reduced). So can I reclaim ALL of the withholding tax?

Cook_County

No - you owe tax at the rate specified in the tax Treaty. You can ask the next government to re-negotiate the tax Treaty if you think this would help in future.

Victor_the_Gink

As above. Think about it. For all you know, the French could have a 50% tax on dividend income. To smooth affairs, a transfer tax has been arranged at 15%. That it falls within your NRB for UK income is irrelevant - it is French income.