Two types of document must be produced every time a limited company declares a dividend – board meeting minutes and a dividend voucher for each shareholder.
Please feel free to use the example document templates and download links we’ve included for our visitors.
Simply copy and paste the following templates, replacing the [REQUIRED FIELDS] with your company information, plus the dividend amount. In this example, the dividend declared is £90 per ordinary share.
Make sure you also read our guide to dividends first to ensure that you a) have sufficient retained profit in the company to cover the dividend payment, and b) know what information you must include in the associated paperwork.
You can also download the templates here:
- MS Word (.doc)
- Google Drive
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
[COMPANY NAME]
Held on [DATE] at [ADDRESS]
Present: [NAMES OF ALL PRESENT]
It was resolved that the Company pay an interim dividend of £90 per £1 ordinary share in respect of the year ended [COMPANY’S YEAR END DATE] to those shareholders registered at the close of business on [DATE OF PAYMENT].
There being no further business, the meeting was closed.
——————————
[DIRECTOR]
[DATE]
[COMPANY REGISTERED ADDRESS / COMPANY NUMBER]
DIVIDEND TAX VOUCHER
[COMPANY NAME]
Dividend in respect of the year ended [COMPANY’S YEAR END DATE] payable to shareholders registered at the close of business on [DATE OF PAYMENT].
Shareholder: [SHAREHOLDER’S NAME]
[table “” not found /]
——————————
[DIRECTOR]
[DATE]
Keep this voucher in a safe place.
[COMPANY REGISTERED ADDRESS / COMPANY NUMBER]
Legacy Dividend Tax Voucher: Pre-April 2016
The dividend tax rules changed on 6th April 2016.
Prior to this date, a system of tax credits was used – a net dividend was paid to shareholders. However, for tax purposes, this net amount was multiplied by 10/9 to produce a ‘gross dividend’ upon which tax was calculated.
We’re including this old template for the sake of completeness.
DIVIDEND TAX VOUCHER [Before 6th April 2016]
[COMPANY NAME]
Dividend in respect of the year ended [COMPANY’S YEAR END DATE] payable to shareholders registered at the close of business on [DATE OF PAYMENT].
Shareholder: [SHAREHOLDER’S NAME]
[table “” not found /]
——————————
[DIRECTOR]
[DATE]
Keep this voucher in a safe place. It will be accepted by HMRC as evidence of a tax credit.
[COMPANY REGISTERED ADDRESS / COMPANY NUMBER]
Further Information
Read our guide to dividends to find out more about how dividends are taxed and check with your accountant if you have any questions about the paperwork required for dividend declaration and dividend timing.