Stocks and shares ISA dividends

Income from dividends can be an amazing wealth-building tool. In large part, because they can allow your investment portfolio to blossom and grow through the power of compound interest. And, holding your income-producing investments in a stocks and shares individual savings account (ISA) is a fantastic way to protect your growth from tax on the dividends.

We’re going to cover everything worth knowing about the relationship between a stocks and shares ISAs, dividends and tax. We’ll explain all the tax benefits and rules to help you to keep more of your gains.

What are dividends?

Dividends are payments made to shareholders as a reward for being an investor. Dividend payouts can vary in size and frequency. They’re not guaranteed and sometimes depend on the performance of the underlying company or investment. Usually, dividends paid to investors are based on a portion of earnings or profit from a stock or fund.

What types of investments pay a dividend?

Here are some examples of popular types of investments that sometimes reward investors with a regular dividend income payment:

• Individual stocks.
• Index funds.
• Exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
• Investment trusts and unit trusts.
• Real estate investment trusts (REITs).
• Special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs).
• Corporate bonds and government bonds (gilts). These don’t technically pay dividends, but income interest payments are treated in a similar way in a stocks and shares ISA.

Do stocks and shares ISAs pay dividends?

It’s not the stocks and shares ISA itself that pays dividends, but the investments you hold within the account. So, not everyone will receive ISA dividend payments. Only those of you who are investing and holding income-generating assets within this account type will receive ISA dividends.

How to invest in ISA dividend stocks

If you want to start using a stocks and shares ISA to invest in dividend-paying stocks, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Sign up to a share dealing platform. To buy dividend stocks, you’ll first need to find a brokerage account that also allows you to open a stocks and shares ISA.
2. Research ISA dividend stocks. Not all dividend stocks are the same. The right investments for you will depend on your goals, time horizon and risk appetite.
3. Decide how much to invest. Make sure that the dividend stock fits in with the rest of your investment portfolio. Then, deposit funds and choose how many shares you want to buy.
4. Buy the dividend stock in your stocks and shares ISA. After you’ve researched an investment and decided it’s suitable for you, place an order to buy shares. Keep in mind you can only invest up to £20,000 in a stocks and shares ISA each tax year.

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Do you pay tax on dividends in a stocks and shares ISA?

It depends on the investments. For the majority of investments bought in the UK, there’s no dividend tax on ISA shares. As long as the assets are held in your stocks and shares ISA account.

Often, your brokerage platform will make it clear which investments are “ISA-ready” and can stay inside the wrapper, protected from the taxman. So, stocks and shares ISA tax on dividends is zero for most investments. However, it can be a different situation for certain international investments, for example – US stocks.

This is why many will refer to ISAs as being “tax-efficient” rather than “tax-free”. It’s a small difference but an important one. Saying that a stocks and shares ISAs means paying absolutely no tax isn’t completely true for some investors.

What about dividends for US stocks and investments?

With some brokerages, you can buy US-based stocks and hold them in your stocks and shares ISA. But, you’ll need to complete a W-8BEN form. It’s nothing complex, just some basic paperwork stating you’re a UK tax resident.

Then, when you invest in US stocks, the tax on dividends in an ISA will be charged as withholding tax (WHT) of 15% on any income.

Dividend reinvestments in a stocks and shares ISA

How dividend reinvestment works for your stocks and shares ISA will depend on the platform you’re using. And, the investments you’re holding. Some types of investments will automatically reinvest dividends back into the fund, they will usually have “accumulation” or “Acc.” in the title.

For individual stocks and other types of investments that have “distribution” or “Dist.” in the title, dividend payments will be paid out as cash directly into your account. With certain platforms, you can choose to automatically reinvest any dividends from stocks. But, it’s always worth checking under the hood of any potential investments and platforms to find out what happens to dividends.

Do you have to declare ISA dividends on a tax return?

Nope, this isn’t necessary. A major benefit of using a stocks and shares ISA is that tedious little bits of paperwork and admin like this are all taken care of. There’s no need to declare ISA dividends. So, this is one less thing for you to worry about.

Bottom line

Dividend rewards from your investments can be brilliant for building long-term wealth. One of the best ways you can maximise the effects of compounding returns with your dividends is by making the most of your stocks and shares ISA allowance.

For any investments held in your stocks and shares ISA that pay dividends, you’ll automatically reduce your tax burden. For most stocks held within your ISA, you’ll have absolutely no tax to pay on the income being generated. At the end of the day, all of this means you keep more of your money.

But, it’s always worth making sure you’re using a brokerage platform that gives you access to a wide choice of ISA-compatible dividend shares with no tax. And, take a second to double-check whether income is automatically reinvested or if you have to do it yourself.

Frequently asked questions

• What's the best ISA for dividends?

  This will be the stocks and shares ISA that’s right for your investing strategy. All ISA accounts and platforms will receive the same treatment of dividends for tax purposes. But, some investment platforms will be cheaper to buy dividend-paying stocks. And others may offer a greater selection to pick from. So, it’s all about finding the best ISA for your individual needs.

• What happens to stocks and shares ISA dividends after death?

  When you die – cash, dividends and investments in your account will be inherited by your beneficiaries. Your stocks and shares ISA will still keep the same tax benefits until your executor closes the account or the administration of your estate is completed. Otherwise, your ISA provider will automatically close your account 3 years and 1 day after you die.

  There is also the possibility that you set up a plan or a will so that after your death, your ISA provider will:

  • Sell your dividend investments and pay any proceeds to the administrator or beneficiary of your estate.
  • Transfer all your dividend stocks and investments to your surviving spouse’s or civil partner’s stocks and shares ISA – as long as their account is with the same provider.