(Incorporated in
(Legal Entity Identifier: 635400Z5LQ5F9OLVT688)
AEX and JSE Share Code: PRX ISIN: NL0013654783
(
FINALISATION OF DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
Further to the announcement on
Holders of ordinary shares N as at the Record Date who do not wish to receive a capital repayment can elect to receive a dividend instead. A choice for one option implies an opt-out of the other option. Elections to receive a dividend instead of a capital repayment will need to be made by holders of ordinary shares N by Monday,
Dividends and capital repayments are declared and paid in euros. Those holders holding their ordinary shares N in
Salient dates:
|
Date |
Event |
|
Wednesday, |
Annual general meeting, including resolution to approve the distribution as follows: · o election to receive distribution in the form of a dividend o default if no election is made will be a capital repayment · dividend of · dividend of Results of annual general meeting and currency conversion announcement (i.e. ZAR equivalent of Distribution declaration date |
|
Friday, |
Mandatory creditor opposition period |
|
Wednesday, |
End date creditor opposition period |
|
Tuesday, |
Last date for an N shareholder to trade on the JSE in order to appear in the shareholder register and participate in the distribution |
|
Wednesday, |
· Ex-dividend/capital repayment date for JSE · Last date to trade N shares on the Euronext Amsterdam in order to appear in the shareholder register and participate in the distribution |
|
Thursday, |
Ex-dividend/capital repayment date for Euronext Amsterdam |
|
Friday, |
Record date to appear in the shareholder register and participate in the distribution ("Record Date") |
|
Monday, |
Dividend/capital repayment election period relating to ordinary N shares only |
|
Monday, |
Notarial deeds to effectuate the increase and decrease of the nominal value per share in the articles of association of |
|
Tuesday, |
Dividend/capital repayment date depending on elections in respect of the N shares ("Payment Date") |
|
Tuesday, |
Final date for intermediaries to submit Dutch DWT reclaims in accordance with tax treaties ("Dutch DWT Reclaims Date") |
Due to the differing ex-dividend dates between the JSE and Euronext Amsterdam, transfers of N ordinary shares between the JSE and the Euronext Amsterdam between Wednesday,
Shareholders electing to receive a dividend will receive a dividend declared from retained earnings. Dividends will be subject to the Dutch dividend withholding tax rate of 15% yielding, to those shareholders not entitled to an exemption or relief from Dutch dividend tax, a net dividend of
In addition to the Dutch dividend withholding tax at a rate of up to 15%, dividends paid in respect of ordinary N shares on the South African register and traded on the JSE will also be subject to South African dividend tax at a rate of up to 20% in relation to shareholders not entitled to an exemption from South African dividend tax. The amount of additional South African dividend tax payable may be subject to a rebate for Dutch dividend withholding tax paid in respect of such dividend without any right of recovery by any person, so that the aggregate dividend tax would in those cases add up to a maximum of 20% (after claiming treaty relief).
As a general position for South African tax resident shareholders holding their shares on the JSE that are not exempt from South African dividend tax, if they positively elect to receive a dividend, the consequences will be as follows:
|
Holders of ordinary shares N on the JSE* |
ZAR cents |
|
Gross amount of the Dividend |
412.4360 |
|
Less: 15% Dutch Withholding Tax |
61.8654 |
|
Net Dividend after the deduction of the Dutch Withholding Tax |
350.5706 |
|
Less: 20% South African Dividend Tax (levied on gross dividend) |
82.4872 |
|
Plus: Rebate for Dutch Withholding tax that is not recoverable i.e. 10% of Gross amount of Dividend |
41.2436 |
|
Net amount of the Dividend |
309.327 |
*Non-South African shareholders may be subject to South African dividend tax (in addition to the 15% Dutch dividend withholding tax) of 20%.
Holders of Prosus American Depositary Receipts which trade on an over-the-counter basis in
Shareholders who are entitled to a reduced Dutch dividend withholding tax rate or an exemption from Dutch dividend withholding tax can submit the required evidence to substantiate their position to
South African corporates who own 5% or more of the shares in
The treaty between
Please note that no Dutch dividend withholding tax will be withheld on repayments of share capital. There will also be no South African dividend tax on repayments of share capital.
Shareholders are advised that the matters contemplated in this announcement may have different consequences for each shareholder depending on the jurisdiction in which they reside and their other unique circumstances. Shareholders are accordingly advised to consult with their tax advisors in relation to matters contained in this announcement.
Tax Implications
1. Dutch Tax Implications
1.1. General
Capital repayments will be paid from share capital. No Dutch dividend withholding tax ("DWT") will be withheld on the amounts of capital repayments paid to shareholders.
Where a shareholder elects to receive a dividend, generally, 15% DWT will be withheld by
1.1.1. a shareholder qualifies for an exemption from or a reduction of Dutch DWT on the basis of Dutch domestic law (including implementation of EU Directives) and/or a tax treaty concluded by
1.1.2. the formal requirements to apply such exemption from or reduction of Dutch DWT are satisfied (insofar applicable).
1.2. Domestic exemptions from Dutch DWT
1.2.1. General
Corporate shareholders may be exempt from Dutch DWT under Dutch domestic law, if:
1.2.1.1. The shareholder is tax resident in
1.2.1.2. A shareholder is considered tax resident within the EU or EEA or is a tax resident of a country with which
The above exemptions are not available in cases of (deemed) abuse, for which a main purposes test and artificial arrangement test applies.
If a shareholder is eligible for an exemption or reduction from Dutch DWT, in order to place reliance on such exemption or reduction, the shareholder is required to submit certain information to
1.2.2. Dutch corporate shareholders owning 5% or more of
In order to rely on this domestic exemption from Dutch DWT described in paragraph 1.2.1.1 above, the shareholder should provide
As indicated above,
1.2.3. EU/EEA or tax treaty country resident corporate shareholders owning 5% or more
In order for a corporate shareholder to rely on the domestic exemption from Dutch DWT described in paragraph 1.2.1.2 above, the shareholder should provide
Shareholders are advised that
1.3. Tax treaty relief
Shareholders that do not qualify for the domestic exemption from Dutch DWT as outlined in paragraph 1.2, may qualify for an exemption from or reduction of Dutch DWT on the basis of a relevant tax treaty concluded by
Shareholders should consult their tax advisor to determine if such an exemption or reduction is applicable to their situation and in which way, they can claim this Dutch DWT back from the Dutch tax authorities.
2. South African Tax Implications
2.1. General
A capital repayment in respect of a
For SA resident shareholders holding
Where a shareholder elects to receive a dividend in respect of a
In order to qualify for any exemption from SADT described above, the person to whom the dividend is paid must provide the following documentation to the CSDP before the dividend is paid:
2.1.1. a written declaration that the dividend is exempt from SADT in terms of South African domestic law; and
2.1.2. a written undertaking to inform the regulated intermediary in writing should the circumstances affecting the exemption/reduction applicable change or should the beneficial owner cease to be the beneficial owner, by the date determined by the CSDP, or where no date is determined, by the date of payment of the dividend.
2.2. Tax implications for South African corporate shareholders
Where the South African resident beneficial owner of the dividend is a company, the dividend will be exempt from SADT in terms of domestic law, provided the documentary requirements set out above are complied with.
2.3. Tax implications for South African non-corporate shareholders
Where the South African resident beneficial owner of the dividend is a non-corporate shareholder, the dividend may be exempt from SADT in terms of domestic law. Where the dividend does not qualify for one of the domestic exemptions, SADT will be paid at an initial rate of 20%, subject to a rebate for Dutch DWT paid in respect of such dividend without any recovery by any person.
2.4. Rebate on SADT paid
A rebate for foreign taxes (i.e. Dutch DWT) imposed on the dividend paid is available to reduce the SADT liability. This rebate is calculated based on the Dutch DWT paid without the right of recovery by any person. In other words, the rebate is limited to the amount of Dutch DWT paid after taking into account relevant exemptions from, or reductions of, Dutch DWT that the shareholder may be eligible for as described in paragraph 1 above.
The rebate will further be limited to the SADT imposed. For example, if the dividend is exempt from Dutch DWT in terms of Dutch domestic law as a result of the shareholder holding 5% or more of
The CSDP is responsible for withholding SADT from the dividend payable to shareholders on the South African register and paying such amounts to the
In order to apply a rebate, the CSDP must be satisfied:
2.4.1. that Dutch DWT was applied; and
2.4.2. that the relevant shareholder qualifies for a reduced rate of Dutch DWT.
The rebate for foreign taxes is determined in Rands by translating the foreign currency amount using the same rate used to translate the foreign dividend.
2.5. Refund mechanism
The maximum effective dividend tax to be paid by South African tax resident shareholders on the South African register, who are not exempt from SADT will be 20%. For example, where a CSDP is satisfied that a particular shareholder has paid 15% Dutch DWT, which is not recoverable by that shareholder from the Dutch tax authority, such CSDP should withhold only 5% SADT, being the 20% SADT less 15% Dutch DWT (unless a specific South African domestic exemption applies and the required documentation as set out in paragraph 2 has been provided to the CSDP). However, if the CSDP is not satisfied that the Dutch DWT cannot be recovered by the shareholder, the CSDP may withhold up to 20% in SADT.
If such shareholder pays more than an aggregate 20% tax (being the total Dutch DWT and SADT paid on the same dividend), such shareholders are advised to follow the procedures set out paragraphs 1, if appropriate, in order to claim a refund of Dutch DWT overpaid. Where an amount of SADT has been overpaid as a result of failure to comply with the requirements described in paragraphs 2.4.1 and 2.4.2, or the failure to deduct a rebate as described in paragraph 2.4, the shareholder may be entitled to claim a refund of the SADT overpaid. This refund must be claimed from the CSDP within a period of three years after the date of payment of the dividend.
Whether or not there is a refund due to the shareholder should be determined with reference to the specific facts applicable to that shareholder.
The information provided above does not constitute tax advice and is only provided as a general guide on the South African tax treatment of the cash dividend declaration by
Euronext Listing agent and Paying agent
ING Bank N.V.
JSE sponsor to
Investec Bank Limited
Enquiries
|
Investor Enquiries |
+1 347-210-4305 |
|
Media Enquiries |
+31 6 15494359 |
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