Australia Dividend Tax Calculator 2025/26
Calculate your Australian dividend tax using franking credits and ATO individual tax rates.
Calculate Australian Dividend Tax
How Franking Credits Apply
Calculation Breakdown
If your franking credit exceeds the tax on your dividends, you may receive a franking credit refund (for individuals and super funds).
2025/26 Australian Income Tax Brackets
| Taxable Income | Tax Rate | Tax on Bracket |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $18,200 | 0% | Nil |
| $18,201 – $45,000 | 19% | $5,092 |
| $45,001 – $120,000 | 32.5% | $24,375 |
| $120,001 – $180,000 | 37% | $22,200 |
| Over $180,000 | 45% | — |
The Medicare Levy of 2% applies on top of these rates for most taxpayers. The rates shown are for Australian residents for tax purposes.
How Franking Credits Work in Australia
Australia uses an imputation system for taxing dividends, which is unique among major economies. Under this system, when an Australian company pays corporate tax on its profits, it generates franking credits. When dividends are paid to shareholders, these franking credits are attached to the dividend, representing the corporate tax already paid. Shareholders include both the cash dividend and the franking credit in their assessable income, then receive a tax offset equal to the franking credit.
This system effectively eliminates double taxation of corporate profits. If your personal marginal tax rate is higher than the company tax rate, you pay the difference. If your marginal rate is lower, you receive a refund of the excess franking credits. This makes Australian franked dividends particularly attractive for low-income earners and retirees, who may receive a net tax refund from their dividend income.
Dividends can be fully franked, partially franked, or unfranked. A fully franked dividend has franking credits attached to the entire amount, meaning the company has paid corporate tax on all the profits distributed. Partially franked dividends have credits on only a portion, while unfranked dividends carry no credits and are taxed entirely at your marginal rate. The franking percentage tells you what proportion of the dividend carries franking credits.
Franking Credit Calculation
The franking credit is calculated using the formula: Franking Credit = Dividend Amount x (Franking % / 100) x (Company Tax Rate / (1 - Company Tax Rate)). For a $1,000 fully franked dividend from a company paying 30% tax, the franking credit is $1,000 x 1.0 x (0.30 / 0.70) = $428.57. Your assessable income from this dividend would be $1,000 + $428.57 = $1,428.57.
The ATO then calculates tax on the total assessable amount at your marginal rate, including the Medicare Levy. The franking credit is applied as a tax offset to reduce your tax payable. If the offset exceeds your tax liability, the excess is refunded to you. This refundability is a key feature of the Australian system and does not exist in many other countries with imputation systems.
For base rate entities (small companies) paying 25% tax, the franking credit formula yields a smaller credit per dollar of dividend. A $1,000 fully franked dividend from a 25% company generates a franking credit of $333.33 rather than $428.57. This reflects the lower amount of corporate tax paid, resulting in a slightly higher personal tax burden on these dividends compared to those from 30% companies.
Medicare Levy on Dividends
The Medicare Levy is a 2% tax applied to most Australian taxpayers to help fund the public healthcare system (Medicare). It applies to your total taxable income, which includes the grossed-up amount of franked dividends. This means the franking credit is added to your income before the Medicare Levy is calculated, but the franking credit only offsets income tax, not the Medicare Levy itself.
Some individuals may be exempt from or receive a reduction in the Medicare Levy based on their income level or circumstances. Low-income earners below certain thresholds may pay a reduced levy or no levy at all. There is also a Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) of 1% to 1.5% for higher-income earners who do not have an appropriate level of private hospital cover, but this calculator does not include the MLS.
Company Tax Rates & Franking
30% Company Tax Rate
Large companies and non-base-rate entities
- Companies with aggregated turnover above $50M
- Franking credit ratio: 30/70 (42.86c per $1)
- Higher franking credits per dividend dollar
- More corporate tax already paid on profits
25% Company Tax Rate
Base rate entities (small companies)
- Aggregated turnover under $50M
- 80% or less of income is passive
- Franking credit ratio: 25/75 (33.33c per $1)
- Lower franking credits per dividend dollar
Frequently Asked Questions
What are franking credits in Australia?
Franking credits (also called imputation credits) represent the corporate tax an Australian company has already paid on its profits before distributing dividends. When you receive a franked dividend, the franking credit is added to your assessable income and then used as a tax offset against your personal tax liability. If your marginal rate is lower than the company tax rate, you receive a refund of the difference. This system prevents the double taxation of company profits.
How are dividends taxed in Australia?
Australian dividends are taxed through the imputation system. You include the cash dividend plus any attached franking credits in your assessable income. This total is taxed at your marginal tax rate (including the 2% Medicare Levy). You then receive a tax offset equal to the franking credits. The net result is that you pay tax at the difference between your marginal rate and the company tax rate. Unfranked dividends have no credits and are taxed at your full marginal rate.
Can I get a refund from franking credits?
Yes, Australian resident individuals, complying superannuation funds, and certain other entities can receive a refund of excess franking credits. If the franking credits exceed your total tax liability, the ATO refunds the difference. This is particularly beneficial for retirees and low-income earners whose marginal tax rate is below the company tax rate. For example, a retiree in the tax-free threshold with $10,000 in fully franked dividends from a 30% company could receive a $4,286 franking credit refund.
What is the difference between fully franked and partially franked dividends?
A fully franked dividend (100% franking) means the company has paid corporate tax on all the profits distributed as dividends. A partially franked dividend means only a portion of the profit was subject to corporate tax, so franking credits are only attached to that portion. For example, a 50% franked dividend of $1,000 from a 30% company would have a franking credit of $214.29 (half of the $428.57 that a fully franked dividend would carry). The unfranked portion is taxed at your full marginal rate with no offset.
Do I include franking credits in my tax return?
Yes, you must include both the cash dividend and the franking credits as assessable income in your tax return. Your dividend statement from the company or fund will show the cash amount, the franking credit, and the total assessable amount. You report the grossed-up (total) amount as income and claim the franking credit as a tax offset. The ATO pre-fills much of this information if you use myTax, but you should verify it against your dividend statements.
Are dividends in super funds taxed differently?
Yes, superannuation funds in the accumulation phase pay tax at a flat 15% rate on assessable income, including dividends. Franking credits can offset this tax, and excess credits are refundable for complying super funds. In the pension phase, the tax rate is 0%, meaning all franking credits are refunded in full. This makes fully franked Australian shares highly attractive within a super fund, particularly in pension phase where the effective return from dividends is enhanced by the full franking credit refund.
Sources
-
ATO - Dividends and Distributions
Official ATO guidance on dividend taxation and franking credits.
-
ATO - Tax Rates for Australian Residents
Current individual income tax rates and brackets.
-
ATO - Medicare Levy
Information on the 2% Medicare Levy and exemptions.