| Tue 17 Apr 2012, 13:00 | | BTI - British American Tobacco p.l.c - Final dividend for the year ended 31 |
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BTI
BTI
BTI - British American Tobacco p.l.c - Final dividend for the year ended 31
December 2011.
British American Tobacco p.l.c.
Incorporated in England and Wales
(Registration number: 03407696)
Short name: BATS
Share code: BTI
ISIN number: GB0002875804
("British American Tobacco p.l.c." or "the Company")
BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO p.l.c.
Final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2011: impact of change in South
African tax legislation on dividend payable on 3 May 2012 to shareholders on the
South African branch register on 9 March 2012
British American Tobacco p.l.c. notes that, since the announcement of a
recommended final dividend on 23 February 2012, the new Dividend Tax has been
introduced in South Africa and the JSE Listing Requirements were amended with
effect from 1 April 2012 to require the disclosure of additional information in
relation to the dividend payment. The purpose of this announcement is to provide
that additional information.
Dividend Tax will be withheld from the amount of the gross final dividend of
1,078.44464 SA cents per ordinary share paid to shareholders on the South
African branch register at the rate of 15 per cent unless a shareholder
qualifies for an exemption. After Dividend Tax has been withheld, the net
dividend will be 916.67794 SA cents per ordinary share.
The Company had a total of 1,967,367,157 ordinary shares in issue (excluding
treasury shares) at the dividend record date of 9 March 2012.
The final dividend is subject to approval by shareholders at the Company`s
Annual General Meeting to be held in London on 26 April 2012. Assuming such
approval by shareholders, the final dividend will be paid by the Company to
shareholders on the main register and the South African branch register on 3 May
2012. With specific reference to South Africa, the Company, as a non-resident,
was not subject to the secondary tax on companies (STC) regime which used to be
applicable and therefore no STC credits are available for set-off against the
Dividend Tax liability on the final dividend.
For the avoidance of doubt, Dividend Tax and therefore the information provided
in this announcement is of only direct application to shareholders on the South
African branch register.
Shareholders on the South African branch register should direct any questions
regarding the application of the Dividend Tax to:
Computershare Investor Services (Pty) Ltd
PO Box 61051, Marshalltown 2107, South Africa
tel: 0861 100 925; +27 11 870 8222
email enquiries: web.queries@computershare.co.za
G C W Cunnington
Deputy Secretary
17 April 2012
Investor Relations:
Mike Nightingale 020 7845 1206
Rachael Brierley 020 7845 1519
Maya Farhat 0207 845 1977
Press Office: Kate Matrunola/Jem Maidment 020 7845 2888
Sponsor: UBS South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Date: 17/04/2012 13:00:02 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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