How a lot is withholding tax on U.S. dividends?
I’m going to offer a short abstract of U.S. withholding tax on investments, Wanda, earlier than addressing Enterprise Merchandise Companions (EPD) particularly.
First, U.S. shares are usually topic to 30% withholding tax on dividends for non-residents. Many international locations, together with Canada, have tax treaties with the U.S. to make sure a decreased charge of withholding tax. For qualifying Canadian residents, the tax could be decreased to fifteen%. In a registered retirement financial savings plan (RRSP), the tax could also be decreased to 0%.
Qualifying to reclaim U.S. withholding tax
In an effort to qualify, an investor has to fill out this kind and supply it to their funding agency: Kind W-8BEN Certificates of International Standing of Helpful Proprietor for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting (People).
These types are usually legitimate till the tip of the third calendar yr after signing, so it must be re-signed each three years.
U.S. inventory dividends paid into an RRSP, registered retirement earnings fund (RRIF) or the same registered retirement account are usually free from withholding tax for Canadian residents who’ve accomplished W-8BEN types. In non-registered and tax-free financial savings accounts (TFSAs), the decreased 15% charge usually applies.
If extra tax is withheld, it may be recovered by submitting a U.S. tax return. Nevertheless, the time and value could also be greater than the potential refund until the withholding tax is important.
An essential level is that Canadian mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that personal U.S. shares are thought of Canadian investments and topic to fifteen% withholding tax. In the event you personal these in your RRSP, they won’t qualify for the 0% withholding tax charge. It is because the mutual fund or ETF is taken into account the shareholder of the U.S. shares, not you or your RRSP.
EDP dividends for Canadians
In your case, Wanda, you personal shares of Enterprise Merchandise Companions, which is a grasp restricted partnership buying and selling on the New York Inventory Alternate (NYSE). Based mostly on the present quarterly dividend and inventory value, the annual dividend yield is about 7.15%.
