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DirectorsUpdated 2026-10-19

How much dividend can I take from my company?

Quick Answer

You can take dividends up to your company's available profits (retained earnings). There's no legal maximum, but you'll pay dividend tax above the £500 dividend allowance.

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Detailed Explanation

Legal limits on dividends

You can only pay dividends from 'distributable profits' - essentially retained earnings (profit after Corporation Tax, minus any accumulated losses). You cannot pay dividends from share capital or if it would make the company insolvent.

Dividend tax rates 2026/27

- £500 dividend allowance (tax-free) - Basic rate (income £12,571-£50,270): 10.75% - Higher rate (income £50,271-£125,140): 35.75% - Additional rate (income over £125,140): 39.35%

Example for typical director

Salary of £12,570 uses personal allowance. Dividends up to £37,700 (the basic rate band minus salary) are taxed at 10.75%. First £500 is covered by dividend allowance.

Tax on £37,700 dividends: (£37,700 - £500) x 10.75% = £3,999

Total income of £50,270

£12,570 salary + £37,700 dividends **Total personal tax

Warning

Always ensure you have documented board minutes declaring dividends and that company profits support the dividend. Illegal dividends may need to be repaid.

Source: HMRC Dividend Tax Rates 2026/27

Real-World Examples

Modest Profits, Tax-Efficient Income

Your company makes £20,000 profit after corporation tax. You could take £500 as a tax-free dividend, and then the remaining £19,500 as salary within your personal allowance and the dividend basic rate band, paying only income tax and dividend tax at the basic rate.

High Profits, Minimising Personal Tax

Your company has £80,000 in retained profits. You could take the maximum possible dividend within the higher rate tax band after using your personal allowance, and consider retaining some profits within the company to potentially draw down in later years or invest.

Director Loan Repayment via Dividend

You owe your company £5,000 from a director's loan. Instead of paying it back in cash, you can declare a dividend of £5,000 (assuming sufficient retained earnings) and offset it against the loan. This effectively 'pays' the loan and draws down company profits.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Declaring a dividend without sufficient retained earnings to cover it, which constitutes an illegal dividend.
  • Forgetting to document dividend vouchers, which are required as proof of the dividend payment and the amounts involved.
  • Ignoring the dividend allowance, and therefore failing to utilise the tax-free portion of dividend income each year.
  • Incorrectly calculating your dividend tax liability, failing to consider other income sources that may push you into a higher tax band.

What happens if I overdraw my director's loan account and then declare a dividend to cover it?

If the overdrawn director's loan account exceeds £10,000 at any point in the tax year and remains outstanding 9 months after the company's year-end, there will be a section 455 tax charge which is essentially a penalty until the loan is repaid, even if you later declare a dividend to clear the balance. You then get the section 455 tax repaid.

How does taking dividends affect my ability to get a mortgage?

Mortgage lenders will typically assess your income based on a combination of your salary and dividend income declared over the past 2-3 years. A lower salary and higher dividend strategy may impact the amount they are willing to lend, so it's best to speak to a mortgage advisor.

Can I pay different dividend amounts to different shareholders?

Generally, dividends are paid pro-rata to share ownership. If you want to pay different amounts, you need to use alphabet shares or a dividend waiver, and seek professional advice to ensure compliance and tax efficiency.

Are dividends subject to National Insurance contributions?

No, dividends are not subject to National Insurance contributions, unlike salary. This is one reason why directors often opt for a mix of salary and dividends.

Practical Tips

  • Use accounting software like AccountsOS to accurately track your company's retained earnings and ensure you only declare dividends from available profits.
  • Create and keep detailed records of all dividend vouchers, including the date, amount, and shareholder details, as proof for HMRC.
  • Plan your salary and dividend strategy at the start of each tax year to maximise your tax efficiency, considering both personal and corporation tax implications.
  • Reinvest a portion of your company's profits back into the business for growth, rather than taking out all available funds as dividends.

Related Questions

How much salary should I pay myself as a director?

Most single-director companies are best paying a salary of £12,570 per year (the personal allowance) and taking the rest as dividends. A £5,000 salary (the employer NI threshold) is too cautious for most directors.

What are illegal dividends?

Illegal dividends are dividends paid when a company doesn't have sufficient distributable profits. Directors may be personally liable to repay them, and they can be treated as director's loans with tax consequences.

When should I declare dividends?

Declare dividends when your company has sufficient distributable profits, typically quarterly or at year-end. Timing across tax years can reduce your tax bill by spreading income across basic rate bands.

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