Why SWP Is Better Than the ‘Dividend Option’ Post-Budget 2020

The Union Budget 2020-21 abolished the Dividend Distribution Tax, which effectively is 20.56% (15% DDT + surcharge and cess, as applicable) for the current assessment year, i.e. 2020-21, on dividends declared by any domestic company.

In case of equity-oriented mutual funds, the effective DDT rate is currently 11.65% (10% DDT + surcharge and cess, as applicable), while on debt-oriented schemes 29.12% (25% DDT + surcharge and cess, as applicable).

However, from the next assessment year, 2021-22 (applicable to the financial year 2020-21) dividends earned will now be taxable in the hands of the recipient -- by adding to the total income and taxed as per their applicable income-tax slab rate. Mutual fund houses before distributing dividend will deduct tax at source (TDS) @10% if the ‘dividend income’ in the hand of recipients exceeds Rs 5,000.

The Impact
While the above move would benefit individuals who pay less tax (due to the lower tax slab applicable) instead of the current effective DDT rate; for those in the higher income slab --- the HNIs and Ultra --- it is counterproductive. To simply put, it would increase the tax burden of individuals earning substantial dividend income and who are anyway subject to a higher income-tax rate on the total income earned.

So, should one choose the ‘Dividend Option’ when investing in mutual funds then?
Generally, investors looking for some sort of regular income or cash flow, opt for the Dividend Option while investing in mutual funds.

But a fact is that dividends are not guaranteed. Dividends are declared at the discretion of the fund house when the scheme is performing well, and perhaps making profits for investors.

Furthermore, choosing the Dividend Option end ups eating away the accumulated profit at regular intervals. This is because unlike equity shares or stocks where the dividend declared by the company is on the profits earned by the company, mutual funds dividends are paid out of the investment value, akin to ‘profit booking’ (the fund pays back the investor his/her money).

Besides, it is not true that by choosing the Dividend Option, the dividend-adjusted returns would be always greater than the returns clocked by the Growth Option.

When the ultimate goal is to grow wealth, choosing the Dividend Option could end up eating away the accumulated profit at regular intervals. This, in turn, could upset wealth creation and get in the way of compounding.

When investing in mutual funds, one would be better off choosing the Growth Option, as it holds the potential to compound wealth better (subject to mutual fund scheme selected).

Given the change in tax laws, it makes sense for investors who have opted for the Dividend Option to switch to the Growth Option – particularly those who are in the high tax bracket.

How can one address regular cash flow needs?
To generate regular income, instead of going for Dividend Option (where the tax impact could be high), choosing the Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) would prove more prudent.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP)
Through an SWP, one can withdraw a fixed sum of money or the capital appreciation from a mutual fund scheme regularly (monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or annually), in a disciplined manner, and potentially continue to returns on the remaining investments over a period of time. So, an SWP brings along the following key benefits:

If it is an equity-oriented mutual fund, the gains realised on the units held for a period of 12 months or more, a Long Term Capital Gain (LTCG) tax will apply. LTCG is taxed at a rate of 10% on gains in excess of Rs 1 lakh. No tax is applicable on gains below Rs 1 lakh.

For gains realised on equity mutual units held for a period of less than 12 months, a Short Term Capital Gain (STCG) applies. STCG is taxed at a rate of 15%.

Ideally, when investing in an equity mutual fund scheme, ensure that the holding period is at least 3 years and willing to assume high risk.

In case of a debt-oriented mutual fund, the holding period to classify short term and long term for capital gains is 36 months. Gains realised on debt mutual units held for a period of less than 36 months are Short Term Capital Gains. STCG on debt funds is taxable as per one’s income-tax slab.

Whereas gains on debt mutual fund units held for a period of 36 months or more are classified as Long Term Capital Gains. The LTCG on debt funds is taxed at the rate of 20% with indexation benefits. The indexation benefit allows adjusting the purchase price of debt funds for inflation, and in turn, helps bring down the tax on capital gains.

Take prudent investment decisions in the interest of your financial wellbeing.

Happy Investing!

Disclaimer, Statutory Details & Risk Factors:

The views expressed here in this article / video are for general information and reading purpose only and do not constitute any guidelines and recommendations on any course of action to be followed by the reader. Quantum AMC / Quantum Mutual Fund is not guaranteeing / offering / communicating any indicative yield on investments made in the scheme(s). The views are not meant to serve as a professional guide / investment advice / intended to be an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial product or instrument or mutual fund units for the reader. The article has been prepared on the basis of publicly available information, internally developed data and other sources believed to be reliable. Whilst no action has been solicited based upon the information provided herein, due care has been taken to ensure that the facts are accurate and views given are fair and reasonable as on date. Readers of this article should rely on information/data arising out of their own investigations and advised to seek independent professional advice and arrive at an informed decision before making any investments.

Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks read all scheme related documents carefully.

Please visit – www.QuantumMF.com to read scheme specific risk factors. Investors in the Scheme(s) are not being offered a guaranteed or assured rate of return and there can be no assurance that the schemes objective will be achieved and the NAV of the scheme(s) may go up and down depending upon the factors and forces affecting securities market. Investment in mutual fund units involves investment risk such as trading volumes, settlement risk, liquidity risk, default risk including possible loss of capital. Past performance of the sponsor / AMC / Mutual Fund does not indicate the future performance of the Scheme(s). Statutory Details: Quantum Mutual Fund (the Fund) has been constituted as a Trust under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882. Sponsor: Quantum Advisors Private Limited. (liability of Sponsor limited to Rs. 1,00,000/-) Trustee: Quantum Trustee Company Private Limited. Investment Manager: Quantum Asset Management Company Private Limited. The Sponsor, Trustee and Investment Manager are incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956.

Above article is authored by Quantum.

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