Dividends are payments made by companies to their shareholders from after-tax profits. In the UK, dividends are taxed separately from other income — at lower rates than salary — making them attractive for company directors, investors, and those with a personal limited company. From 6 April 2026 the basic and higher dividend rates rose by 2 percentage points (Autumn Budget 2025, legislated in section 4 of the Finance Act 2026); the additional rate is unchanged.
Dividend Tax Rates — 2026-27 vs 2025-26
| Tax Band | 2025-26 | 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Rate (up to £50,270) | 8.75% | 10.75% |
| Higher Rate (£50,271 – £125,140) | 33.75% | 35.75% |
| Additional Rate (over £125,140) | 39.35% | 39.35% |
These rates remain lower than the equivalent income tax rates (20%, 40%, 45%) because dividends are paid from profits already subject to Corporation Tax — but the 2pp rise narrowed the Ltd-company tax advantage at basic and higher rate levels.
The Dividend Allowance
The first £500 of dividend income each tax year (2025/26) is tax-free — this is the Dividend Allowance. This allowance has been dramatically reduced over recent years:
| Year | Allowance |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | £2,000 |
| 2023/24 | £1,000 |
| 2024/25 onwards | £500 |
The £500 allowance applies on top of the Personal Allowance (£12,570). Dividends within the allowance still use up your basic rate band.
How Dividend Tax Is Calculated
Dividends sit on top of other income when calculating which rate band applies.
Example (2026-27 rates): You earn a £12,570 salary (no income tax, as it equals the Personal Allowance) and receive £40,000 in dividends.
- £500: covered by the Dividend Allowance — no tax
- £37,200 (up to £50,270 basic rate limit): taxed at 10.75% = £3,999
- £2,300 (above £50,270): taxed at 35.75% = £822.25
- Total dividend tax: ~£4,821
Under 2025-26 rates the same dividend would have produced ~£4,031 — the 2pp rise costs roughly £790 at this profile.
This compares with roughly £11,500 in income tax and employee NI had the £40,000 been taken as additional salary (before any employer NI).
How to Pay Dividend Tax
If you already file a Self Assessment return, report your dividends on it. If you do not, you must tell HMRC after the end of the tax year (5 April) and before 5 October whenever you have tax to pay on dividends. If your dividend income is up to £10,000 you can do that by asking HMRC to update your tax code, so the tax is taken from your wages or pension, or by contacting the helpline. If it is over £10,000 you will need to complete a Self Assessment return, and you must register for Self Assessment by 5 October after the end of the tax year.
ISA Sheltering
Dividends received inside a Stocks and Shares ISA are completely exempt from dividend tax. If you hold high-yielding shares or funds, sheltering them inside your annual £20,000 ISA allowance is one of the most straightforward ways to eliminate dividend tax entirely.
Key Takeaway
Dividend tax rates are substantially lower than income tax rates, but with the allowance cut to £500, even modest investment portfolios outside an ISA will now generate a taxable dividend income. Use our dividend tax calculator to find your exact position.