DIVIDEND DECLARATION CHECKLIST
Declaring and paying dividend under Sections 123-127 of the Companies Act, 2013.
Pre-Conditions
- ☐ Confirm distributable profits after depreciation are available
- ☐ Set off previous years’ losses and unabsorbed depreciation
- ☐ Transfer a portion to reserves, if the board decides
- ☐ Ensure no default in repayment of deposits
Approvals
- ☐ Board resolution recommending final dividend / declaring interim dividend
- ☐ Member approval of final dividend at the AGM (cannot exceed board’s recommendation)
- ☐ Fix the record date for entitlement
Payment
- ☐ Deposit the dividend amount in a separate bank account within 5 days of declaration
- ☐ Deduct TDS on dividend under Section 194 where applicable
- ☐ Pay/dispatch dividend within 30 days of declaration
- ☐ Pay only in cash / electronic mode, not in kind
Unpaid Dividend
- ☐ Transfer unpaid/unclaimed dividend to a special account within 7 days after 30 days
- ☐ Transfer amounts unclaimed for 7 years to the IEPF
- ☐ Upload the statement of unclaimed dividend on the company website
Note: Since abolition of dividend distribution tax, dividend is taxable in the shareholder’s hands and the company must deduct TDS. Interim dividend during a loss year cannot exceed the average rate of the last three years.