Interest and Dividends | South African Revenue Service (2024)

FAQs

What is my interest and dividend income? ›

Common examples of interest and dividend income include interest earned on a savings account and dividend earnings from stock and mutual funds. Interest income is typically reported to you on Form 1099-INT (Interest) or Form 1099-OID (Original Issue Discount).

Interest Exemptions

Interest from a South African source, earned by any natural person under 65 years of age or an estate of a deceased person, up to R23 800 per annum, and persons who are 65 years and older, up to R34 500 per annum, is exempt from income tax.

The main reason to file Schedule B is to report any interest income and ordinary dividends received from investments that exceed $1,500. But there are other, less common reasons why taxpayers might need to fill out a Schedule B.

Qualified dividends are taxed at 0%, 15% or 20% depending on taxable income and filing status. Nonqualified dividends are taxed as income at rates up to 37%. IRS form 1099-DIV helps taxpayers to accurately report dividend income.

In summary, interest and dividend represent different concepts and financial outcomes in the world of finance and investing. Interest is the cost of borrowing or the return earned on debt investments, while dividends are the portion of profits distributed by companies to their shareholders.

The dividend declared by a company is paid to the shareholders in either of the following two ways: Through the National Electronic Clearing Service (NECS), also called the ECS. By mailing the dividend warrants to the physical address of the investor.

Dividends are tax exempt if the beneficial owner of the dividend is an SA-resident company, SA-retirement fund or other prescribed exempt person.

You may be wondering if that income you receive from a foreign country is taxable in South Africa and whether you should declare it in your South African tax return. The short answer is yes: foreign income is taxable in South Africa.

Choose a financial institution: Select a financial institution that offers tax-free savings accounts. Some popular providers in South Africa include banks like FNB, Nedbank, Standard Bank, and ABSA, as well as investment platforms like EasyEquities and Allan Gray.

If you receive a Form 1099-INT and do not report the interest on your tax return, the IRS will likely send you a CP2000, Underreported Income notice. This IRS notice will propose additional tax, penalties and interest on your interest payments and any other unreported income.

Are interest and dividends considered earned income? ›

Earned income Earned income includes wages, salaries, tips, and other employee pay. 8. The interest you earn on your savings account is an example of what type of income? Unearned income Interest and dividends are examples of income that is not earned.

Most taxpayers need to file Schedule B when they receive $1,500 or more in interest or dividend income during the year. You also use Schedule B to notify the IRS when you have foreign bank accounts and other foreign financial interests.

To calculate how much you'll receive, multiply the dividend yield by the stock's par value and then multiply that amount by the number of shares that you own.

Dividend income is the distribution of earnings to shareholders. If you're a U.S. taxpayer with at least $10 in dividend income, you'll receive a 1099-DIV form from your brokerage, along with a consolidated 1099 form.

Interest earned statements are known as a 1099-INT forms. These are issued when $10 or more in interest is earned on a deposit account or when a U.S. Saving Bond is redeemed. 1099-INT forms are sent once a year, by the end of January, if the criteria above are met.

Schedule B reports the interest and dividend income you receive during the tax year. However, you don't need to attach a Schedule B every year you earn interest or dividends. It is only required when the total exceeds certain thresholds.