PRESS RELEASE
BETTER FINANCE
Brussels, 15 May 2023
Many investors commonly use the strategy of investing in dividend stocks. Yet, investors holding foreign shares often have to pay additional withholding tax on dividends in the respective country. A recent survey conducted by BETTER FINANCE and DSW among 3,000 investors across the EU found that withholding tax (WHT) refund procedures are cumbersome and costly, making it difficult or financially unreasonable for non-professional investors to reclaim excess withholding tax on cross-border dividend income. More than 90% of European investors find the WHT reclaim procedure overall difficult, while in close to 70% of cases the investors incurred costs. Moreover, substantial knowledge and compliance with refund procedures are required, and delays are also detrimental, thus undermining investors’ confidence in cross-border investment within the EU. […]