Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc on Tuesday notified the Nigerian Stock Exchange and the investing public of the tax implication on 2019 final dividend.
In a statement signed by the Chief Financial Officer of the firm, Roger Brown, the oil firm stated thus:
“Further to the corporate actions announcement made on 23 March 2020, wherein Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc declared a final dividend of US$0.05 (United States Five Cents) per ordinary share; shareholders are hereby advised that following the amendment of the finance laws in Nigeria – Finance Act, 2020.
“Dividends paid out of after tax petroleum profits are now subject to With Holding Tax (WHT).
“The dividend of US$0.05 (United States Five Cents) per ordinary share will be subject to a WHT rate of 10%.
“For shareholders that are tax resident in countries with a Double Tax Treaty (DTT) with Nigeria, a reduced rate of 7.5% will be applicable. However, there is a requirement for the shareholder to prove to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) their tax residency in the foreign country as the ultimate beneficiary of the dividend and apply for the treaty rate of 7.5%.”
“Shareholders from treaty nations should notify the Company’s registrars- Computershare (London register) and Datamax (Lagos register) as applicable, that they are subject to the lower WHT by filling and submitting the qualification form available on the Company website by 27 May 2020.
“We recommend that shareholders consult with their professional advisers regarding the application for this treaty benefit of a reduced WHT rate”.