Dividend FAQs

BT's dividends have historically been paid twice yearly, in February and September (see dates and payments for past dividends). As part of BT's debt reduction and restructuring, no final dividend was paid in respect of the 2001 financial year (ended 31 March 2001), nor an interim dividend for the 2002 financial year.

BT returned to the dividend list in September 2002 with the payment of a final dividend in respect of the 2002 financial year.

Details of dividends are first given in BT Group's half-year and preliminary year end financial results announced in November and May, respectively. See Financial Calendar.

Details of forthcoming dividends are generally announced in November and May with BT's half-year and preliminary annual financial results (see above). See Financial Calendar. The Shareholder Helpline will be able to give you the dividend information after these dates.

 Yes. BT has a dividend investment plan that allows shareholders to obtain additional BT shares instead of receiving cash dividends. Since shares are bought in the market, rather than issued from unissued share capital, there is a charge of 1% (minimum £1.50) of the amount used to buy the shares. This charge includes 0.5% stamp duty.

Full details of how you can elect to receive shares instead of cash dividends are given in the explanatory booklet on the dividend investment plan.

Residents in the UK or the European Economic Area (“EEA”) can join. If you are a resident outside the UK or EEA, you may take part in the Plan provided you are not subject to regulations that would oblige Equiniti or BT to comply with any governmental or regulatory procedures or similar formalities. You are responsible for making sure you can validly take part and for complying with all necessary formalities. You should consult a professional adviser if you are in any doubt about:

• Whether you need any government consents or to observe any other formalities
• Whether you are prohibited from receiving shares instead of cash dividends.

The Plan is not available to private shareholders in the United States, Canada and Japan due to governmental/regulatory obligations in those jurisdictions. Institutional investors wishing to offer the Plan to underlying investors resident in the US, Canada and Japan should seek legal advice to satisfy themselves that they have the necessary permissions to meet all the necessary governmental/regulatory obligations in these jurisdictions. Equiniti will cancel your participation in the Plan if it reasonably believes you are not eligible to participate in the Plan.

Under UK Government legislation, all dividends are paid net of tax. Unfortunately, therefore, we cannot pay your dividends gross.

Yes. To obtain a replacement cheque you need to write to our Registrars Equiniti, giving details of the cheque that you need to replace. Please ensure that you:

1. State that you are a BT shareholder.
2. State your Shareholder Reference – this can be found on your share certificate or an old dividend statement.
3. Write your name and address exactly as it is recorded on the Register of Shareholders.

There may be an Administration Fee to pay when Equiniti reissues a cheque to you. If applicable, the fee will be deducted before the payment is reissued. You will, therefore, receive the payment minus the applicable fee. Full details of the fees payable are on the Equiniti website

The cheque should be returned to our registrars Equiniti with a covering letter asking them to re-issue the cheque.

There may be an Administration Fee to pay when Equiniti reissues a cheque to you. If applicable, the fee will be deducted before the payment is reissued. You will, therefore, receive the payment minus the applicable fee. Full details of the fees payable are on the Equiniti website. 

Individual shareholders with less than 1,500 shares can amend payment instructions with a quick, free phone call to our Shareholder Helpline. Alternatively, you can complete a Dividend payment form and post it to Equiniti.

If you have signed up to the BT e-communication service you give or amend instructions to pay your dividends directly into your bank or building society account - securely - online.

 Changes can be made by completing a dividend payment form and asking your bank to authorise it and send it to our registrars Equiniti. The Shareholder Helpline will be able to advise you.

If you have signed up to the BT e-communication service, you can amend your instructions securely online. Individual shareholders with less than 1,500 shares can amend instructions with a quick free call to our Shareholder Helpline. Alternatively, you can complete a Dividend payment form and post it to our registrars Equiniti.

In April 2016 the dividend tax credit was replaced by a tax-free dividend allowance. See Dividends and UK income tax for more details.