Belastingimplikasies Van Dividende

Abstract

Hi erdi e studi e is onderneem om di e betekenis van die begri p "dividend" vas te stel aan die hand van die definisie van vermelde begrip in die Inkomstebelastingwet.

Die studie is soos Yolg uitgevoer:-

(i) Die begrip "dividend" soos omskryf in algemenehandels- en rekeni ngkundige terme is ondersoek en 'n omvattende omskrywi ng van sodanige begri pis saamgestel.

(ii) Aangesien In dividend 'n verdel1ng van winste behels, is die begrippe "wins" en "wins beskikbaar vir verdeling" ook aangespreek.

(iii) Vervolgens is die definisie van "dividend" soos uiteengesit in die Inkomstebelasti ngwet in di epte ondersoek en vergelyk met di e a1gemene begri p van 'n di vidend.

(iv) Laastens is die belasti ng betaalbaar op sodanige dividendontvangstes bespreek.

Voortvloeiend uit hierdie studie is die gevolgtrekking dat die definisie van 'n dividend soos ufteengesit in die Inkomstebelastingwet 'n veel wyer begrip is as die algemene begrip van dividende soos van toepassing in die sakewereld. Die algemene Rekeningkundige grondre~!ls ten opsigte van winsbepa11ng en winsverdel1ngword geignoreerby die toepassing van die Inkomstebelastingwet met betrekking tot geagte dhidende.

Voorts bestaan daar geen neutralltei t ten opsi gte van di e belasti ng van toepassing op dividende in die hande van die verskillende soorte belastfngp11gtiges wat ons aantref in die Sufd-Afrikaanse belastingstelsel nie.

Alternate abstract:

This study has been undertaken to clarify the meaning of "dividend" with reference to the definition of dividend in the Income Tax Act.

The study has been conducted as follows:

(1) The meaning of "dividend" as described in general mercantile and accounting terms has been 1nvesti gated and a description of the term has been composed.

(ii) As a dividend entails the distribution of profits, the terms "profit" and "profit available for distribution" have also been addressed.

(iii) Thereafter an in depth investigation was undertaken of the definition of a "dividend" 1n the Income Tax Act, and compared with the general meaning of the term "dividend."

(iv) Finally, the income tax payable on dividends received is discussed.

A conclusion is reached that the definition of a dividend in the Income Tax Act has a much wider meaning than is understood by the term in the business world. Furthermore the Act ignores the general Accounting connotation to the term "dividend".

Lastly, it is clear that no neutrality exists concerning the taxability of dividends in the hands of the various taxpayers that we find in the South African tax system.