How dividend tax works in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan taxes dividend income differently from ordinary employment income. From 2026, dividends paid to an individual who directly or indirectly holds at least 25% of the paying resident company are taxed at 5% up to 230,000 MCI and 15% on the excess. Other dividend payments require a separate domestic-rate, exemption and treaty check.
For non-residents, Kazakhstan-source dividends are generally subject to withholding tax at 15%. Reduced domestic rules, treaty relief or exemptions can apply in specific cases, including certain major-shareholder dividends and dividends on securities listed on a Kazakhstan official exchange where active-trade criteria are met.
Tax rates at a glance
- Individual dividend tax
- 5% / 15%
- General dividend WHT
- 15%
- Major shareholder threshold
- 230,000 MCI
- Listed securities exemption
- Conditional
Who benefits most
These profiles tend to benefit most when the rules match their real residence, payroll and business setup.
ShareholdersHolding companiesFoundersPublic market investorsTreaty users
Watch out for
- Treaty relief is not automatic. Beneficial ownership, residence certificates, holding structure and anti-abuse rules can affect the final withholding tax position.
- Reduced or exempt treatment can fail for blacklisted jurisdictions, insufficient holding periods, subsoil users or companies whose value is mainly connected to subsoil-user property.
- Dividends should be supported by proper accounts, distributable profit, shareholder approvals and withholding tax filings where required.
Frequently asked questions
Does Kazakhstan tax dividends?
Yes. From 2026, dividends paid to an individual who directly or indirectly holds at least 25% of the paying resident company are taxed at 5% up to 230,000 MCI and 15% on the excess. Other dividends need separate analysis.
Does Kazakhstan have dividend withholding tax?
Yes. Kazakhstan-source dividends paid to non-residents are generally subject to 15% withholding tax unless domestic relief, an exemption or a tax treaty reduces the rate.
Are listed share dividends exempt in Kazakhstan?
Some dividends on securities listed on a Kazakhstan official exchange can be exempt if active-trade and other statutory conditions are met.