is a witholding tax payable on US ETF's like SCHD?
8/20/2025 06:11am
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The deep research logic is organized as follows:
Okay, let's tackle this question about whether withholding tax is payable on US ETFs like SCHD. The user is asking specifically about SCHD, which is a US-listed ETF. I need to check the references provided to see what they say about withholding taxes on US ETFs.
First, looking at the references, there are several that mention withholding taxes. Reference 11 talks about foreign withholding taxes on Canadian ETFs holding US ETFs, but that's more about non-US investors. Reference 12 from BlackRock mentions that investors are generally exempt from US withholding tax when holding US-listed ETFs or US stocks. That seems important. Reference 13 discusses the 30% withholding tax on US-listed ETFs for non-US investors without a tax treaty. Reference 14 mentions an additional 15% withholding tax if the ETF is treated as a corporation. Reference 15 talks about foreign withholding taxes on US-listed ETFs. References 20-25 discuss US withholding taxes, including IRC sections and tax treaties.
Wait, the user is asking about withholding tax on US ETFs like SCHD. So, if the user is a US resident, they might not be subject to withholding tax on dividends from US ETFs. But if they're a non-resident, they might face withholding. Let me check the references again.
Reference 12 says US investors are exempt from US withholding tax when holding US-listed ETFs. Reference 13 mentions that for non-US investors, there's a 30% withholding unless a tax treaty applies. Reference 20 from the IRS talks about NRA withholding, which applies to non-residents. So, the answer depends on the user's residency.
But the user's profile mentions they clicked on NAS Composite Index, which is a US index, but their location isn't specified. However, the user profile doesn't indicate they're a non-resident. The question is about SCHD, a US ETF. So, if the user is a US resident, they wouldn't pay withholding tax on dividends from SCHD. If they're a non-resident, they might face withholding unless a treaty applies.
Wait, but SCHD is a US ETF, so dividends paid to non-residents would be subject to 30% withholding unless reduced by a treaty. The user didn't specify their residency, but the question is about whether withholding tax is payable on US ETFs like SCHD. So, the answer should cover both scenarios.
Also, looking at the references, Form 1099-DIV (References 16-19) reports dividends, including qualified and ordinary. But withholding is more about the tax at source, not the reporting form.
So, putting it together: For US residents, no withholding tax on dividends from US ETFs like SCHD. For non-residents, 30% withholding applies unless a tax treaty reduces it. The user needs to know this based on their residency. Also, the user's profile shows interest in the NAS Composite, which is US-focused, but without knowing their location, the answer should cover both cases.
I should structure the answer to first state the conclusion, then explain the details, citing the relevant references. Make sure to mention the tax treaty aspect and the difference between US and non-US investors. Also, include the visualization for the query "withholding tax on US ETFs" as per the requirements.
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### Conclusion 🎯
**Yes**, withholding taxes may apply to U.S.-listed ETFs like SCHD, but the applicability depends on your residency status and the tax treaties between your country and the U.S. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
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### Analysis 📊
#### 1. **Withholding Tax for U.S. Residents**
- **No withholding tax** applies to U.S. citizens or residents holding U.S.-listed ETFs like SCHD.
- Dividends from SCHD are reported on **Form 1099-DIV** , and taxes are applied at the **qualified dividend rate** (0%, 15%, or 20%) based on your income bracket .
- **Key Point**: U.S. investors are exempt from withholding taxes on U.S.-listed ETFs .
| Taxpayer Status | Withholding Tax? | Tax Rate on Dividends |
|------------------------|-------------------|------------------------|
| U.S. Resident | No | 0%, 15%, or 20% |
| Non-U.S. Resident | Yes (30% default) | 30% (reduced by treaty) |
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#### 2. **Withholding Tax for Non-U.S. Residents**
- **30% withholding tax** applies to dividends from U.S.-listed ETFs unless reduced by a tax treaty .
- Example: A Singaporean investor holding SCHD would face a **30% withholding tax** on dividends unless Singapore has a tax treaty with the U.S. .
- **Key Point**: Non-residents must account for withholding taxes when investing in U.S.-listed ETFs .
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#### 3. **Special Cases**
- **Tax Treaties**: If your country has a tax treaty with the U.S., the withholding rate may be reduced (e.g., 15% for Canada ).
- **PFIC Rules**: If SCHD is classified as a Passive Foreign Investment Company (PFIC), additional taxes and reporting requirements apply .
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### Key Takeaways 📝
- **U.S. Residents**: No withholding tax on SCHD dividends; taxes apply at qualified rates.
- **Non-U.S. Residents**: 30% withholding tax applies unless reduced by treaty; consult your tax advisor for treaty details.
- **Form 1099-DIV**: Dividends from SCHD are reported here, but withholding taxes are applied at the source .