There is a basic principle that dividends or other distributions must not be paid out of capital even if the Articles of a company authorise such a payment. For the purposes of this article, reference to distributions includes dividends.
This is stated as follows in Companies Act 2006, section 830:
Distributions to be made only out of profits available for the purpose
(1) A company may only make a distribution out of profits available for the purpose.
(2) A company's profits available for distribution are its accumulated, realised profits, so far as not previously utilised by distribution or capitalisation, less its accumulated, realised losses, so far as not previously written off in a reduction or reorganisation of capital duly made.
(3) Subsection (2) has effect subject to sections 832, 833A and 835 (investment companies and Solvency 2 insurance companies).
HMRC’s internal manuals go further and states that the Act lays down what may be termed the ‘balance sheet surplus’ method of determining profits available for distribution. Under this, a company can distribute the net profit on both capital and revenue at the particular time, as shown by the relevant accounts.
Section 830 lays down the basic rule, but it does not apply to investment companies and is qualified in respect of public companies by section 831. It states that a company’s profits available for distribution are its accumulated, realised profits (on both revenue and capital) not previously distributed or capitalised, less its accumulated realised losses (on both revenue and capital) not written off in a proper reduction or reorganisation of capital.
These definitions for smaller companies can be summarised as, dividends can only be paid if there are sufficient revenue reserves – excluding issued and paid up share capital – to cover the payment. Directors should have sight of up-to-date management accounts when making a judgement regarding a proposed dividend payment and the accounts should include a realistic estimate for any current year corporation tax liability.
If you are uncertain if your company meets these obligations, please call. We can help you crunch the numbers.