How dividend tax works in Russia
Russian companies usually act as tax agents when they pay dividends to individuals. Resident shareholders are generally taxed at 13% up to RUB 2.4 million of the relevant base and 15% above that; non-residents are generally taxed at 15% on Russian-company dividends.
Foreign dividends received by Russian tax residents are also taxable, usually within the NDFL framework. Treaty relief and source-country withholding still matter, so the headline Russian rate is only part of the answer.
Corporate shareholders follow corporate profit tax rules rather than the individual NDFL scale, and special cases can apply for international holding companies and treaty-protected cross-border distributions.
Tax rates at a glance
- Resident dividend tax
- 13%-15%Progressive
- Nonresident dividend tax
- 15%
- Russian WHT
- 13%-15%
- Special IHC rate
- 5%
Who benefits most
These profiles tend to benefit most when the rules match their real residence, payroll and business setup.
ShareholdersInvestorsFamily businessesHolding companiesExpats
Watch out for
- Dividend tax is usually withheld at source, so shareholders often do not file separately for ordinary Russian-company dividends.
- Cross-border dividends can face source-country withholding before the money even reaches Russia.
- Special 5% treatment can apply to some international holding company dividends, but it is not the ordinary case.
Frequently asked questions
Does Russia tax dividends?
Yes. Russian dividends paid to individuals are generally taxed under NDFL, usually at 13% or 15% depending on the amount and residency.
Do non-residents pay dividend tax in Russia?
Usually yes. Non-resident individuals are generally taxed at 15% on dividends from Russian companies.
Are foreign dividends taxed in Russia?
For Russian tax residents, foreign dividends are generally taxable and should be checked against the NDFL rules and any foreign tax paid.