DPU from US Reits Listed in SGX is not subjected to WHT
Around a month back, a reader contacted me with regards to this WHT issue. He wanted to know if the DPU is subjected to any WHT which i confidently told him no, providing him with info and etc. He came back to say that his friend was very sure that there will be WHT. I started to have some self doubt, was I imagining things? As I was outside cycling, I told him that Ill go check my DPU record. Indeed, there's no WHT. I thought this is a 1 off event. Subsequently , I saw another post by an experienced investor discussing about the same issue.
Seems like these REITs have not done enough to provide the correct information to investors which is weird because it's been a few years since the first US REIT listed in SGX. I thought this issue would have long been clarified.
Anyway, it seems that there's a coordinated effort from the REITs that I mentioned to put out an announcement to say that their DPUs are not subjected to WHT. Hopefully that will clear things up entirely!
It really doesnt make sense if they want the REIT to be listed in SGX but DPU is still subjected to WHT. So what I wanted to say is, whatever DPU the company announced, you get it in full. Stop listening to #fakenews.
Continue your good work helping to educate the public! ;)
ReplyDeletethanks!
Deleteyou are right that there is currently no WHT. However with Biden plugging all the holes to increase US tax collection, there is a chance that things may change and sg listed US reits may eventually be subject to WHT. Not sure if market is pricing for this possibility during recent sell off of US reits.
ReplyDeleteMost likely the market is pricing in the inflation, possibility of recession in the US, possibility of more WFH and etc. The recent sell off is extremely brutal but there's also market weakness across the board. Having said that, even if there's a WHT of 10% mentioned in the letter, ill happily take these REITs.
DeleteIts not so simple, as any tax changes affects not only the US reits but other business structures as well. Which in 2018 US tax authorities challenge once and failed. The currently correction of US reits listed in Singapore just move in the same direction as USreits listed in US. It more to do with the stronger than expected US Fed rate hike
DeleteAs the links show, they structured the REIT as a PTP so that the so-called 'dividends' become 'return of capital' which is not taxable. But IRS can also change their minds. QYLD is a popular ETF for SG investors where their dividends were initially classified as 'return of capital', however, this is apparently no longer the case because rules can change: https://seekingalpha.com/article/4490436-qyld-etf-2021-tax-classification-clarification And the PTP issue apparently prevents investors from using Standard Chartered to buy PTPs like Manulife REIT because the tax exemption only applies if no single investor holds more than 9.8% (and Stanchart doesn't want to accidentally end up holding 9.9%). As you can tell, this is a long story that has to be told how exactly these REITs are structured in order to avoid withholding tax.
ReplyDeleteHi can I check if u are holding via CDP? Would the non WHT also apply if I buy through a custodian broker like Tiger?
ReplyDeleteHi there, yes, via CDP. The Non WHT ruling is based on how the REIT is being structured. I would think that it applies to everyone, regardless of whether or the shares are held by CDP or custodian accounts. Just for clarity, I have never used any of those online brokers before.
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