Tax on dividends

The dividend is the portion of the Group's net profit that is distributed to shareholders. At Air Liquide, this portion represents nearly 50%, a sign of the Group's commitment to sharing the fruits of its growth with shareholders.

2013 French finance law (for French fiscal residents only)

What's new

For dividends received from 2012

End of the fixed annual deduction (€3,050 for a couple and €1,525 for a single person)
Rise in the social contributions rate from 13.5% to 15.5% as of July 1, 2012

For dividends received in 2013

End of the 21% flat-rate withholding tax
Introduction of an advanced withholding tax of 21% deductible from income tax for the year of the payment of the dividend and reclaimable if exceeding tax due

Advanced withholding tax of 21%

You can avoid this advance tax payment on the following conditions:

If your 2011 reference taxable income (see your tax notice) is less than €50,000 for a single person or €75,000 for a couple
If you requested by mail to Air Liquide before March 31, 2013 stating that your taxable income falls below these thresholds.
For dividends received in 2014, shareholders will need to submit another request to Air Liquide before November 30, 2013.

Declaration on honour [Fr]

Your 2013 Dividend Calendar

May 15

Last execution day for buy orders on shares eligible for the dividend.
May 16

Ex-dividend date. The opening price on this day falls by the amount of the dividend
May 22

Dividend payment.

Taxes for non-French residents

In general, a tax agreement between France and the shareholder’s fiscal residence country will establish a reduced fixed tax rate for dividends earned by non-French residents. To take advantage of these agreements, remember to have the tax authorities from your country of residence sign the 5000 form⁽¹⁾ and send it to your account manager (Air Liquide Shareholder Services for direct registered shares or the securities services of your account manager for intermediary registered / bearer shares) before mid-April 2013.

If this form is not submitted, a direct withholding tax of 30% will be applied. Non-French residents are not required to pay social contributions on dividends.
Please remember to inform your account manager in the case of a change of address, so that he or she may apply the tax of your country of residence.

⁽¹⁾ The Cerfa form no. 12816*01, which requests that the withholding rate set by the agreement be applied, downloadable from www.impots.gouv.fr)