When can I sell my stock and still get the dividend?

Asked by: Jerrod Turner  |  Last update: September 16, 2026
Score: 5/5 (39 votes)

You can sell a stock and still get the dividend if you sell on or after the ex-dividend date, provided you owned it before that date; the key is that you must be the shareholder of record by the record date, and the ex-dividend date is set to allow for this (often the day before the record date due to T+1 settlement), so selling on the ex-date means the new buyer misses the dividend, and you keep it.

When can you sell a stock and keep the dividend?

The ex-dividend date is set the first business day after the stock dividend is paid (and is also after the record date). If you sell your stock before the ex-dividend date, you also are selling away your right to the stock dividend.

How long do I have to hold a stock to get the dividend?

To receive a dividend, you must own the stock before the ex-dividend date, typically requiring you to buy it at least one day prior to this date for standard common stock, though for tax purposes (qualified dividends), you need a longer holding period: at least 61 days within a 121-day window around the ex-dividend date, starting 60 days before it. 

Can I sell my shares on the record date and still get the dividend?

Selling on Ex-Dividend Date: If you sell shares on the ex-date, you are still eligible. Dividends will be credited to your primary bank account, as the settlement cycle is T+1 working day. Record Date: You must hold shares on the record date to receive dividends.

How long do you still get dividend if you sell after your ex-date?

If you sell the shares on or after the ex-dividend date, you still qualify for the dividend payment. Payment date – the date the company physically credits investors with the dividend payment. This is normally a number of weeks after the ex-dividend date.

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41 related questions found

Why doesn't Warren Buffett like dividends?

Warren Buffett doesn't dislike dividends but believes retaining earnings for reinvestment, acquisitions, and buybacks at Berkshire Hathaway creates more long-term value than paying them out, allowing for greater compounding and growth, though he supports dividends in companies where profits can't be reinvested profitably, like See's Candies. His core principle is that if Berkshire can generate more than $1 of market value for every $1 kept, shareholders are better off with retained earnings, a strategy proven effective by Berkshire's outperformance.

What is the 45 day rule for dividends?

The 45-Day Rule requires resident taxpayers to hold shares at risk for at least 45 days (90 days for preference shares, not including the day of acquisition or disposal) in order to be entitled to Franking Credits.

Can you buy a stock just before the dividend and then sell?

Dividend stripping (also known as dividend arbitrage) is the practice of buying shares a short period before a dividend is declared, called cum-dividend, and then selling them when they go ex-dividend, when the previous owner is entitled to the dividend.

Can I earn $5000 daily from the stock market?

Making Rs. 5,000 a day in the share market is typically attempted through something called intraday trading (when we buy and sell stocks within the same trading session). Whereas long-term investing is based upon the fundamentals of a company, intraday trading is almost exclusively based on short-term price movement.

Do share prices drop after a dividend?

A stock price adjusts downward when a dividend is paid. The adjustment may not be easily observed amidst the daily price fluctuations of a typical stock, but the adjustment does happen. This adjustment is much more obvious when a company pays a "special dividend" (also known as a one-time dividend).

How do I avoid taxes on dividends?

To avoid taxes on dividends, hold them in a Roth IRA for tax-free growth and withdrawals, use a Traditional IRA/401(k) to defer taxes until retirement (often a lower bracket), invest in tax-advantaged education accounts, or if your income is low enough, qualify for the zero percent long-term capital gains rate on qualified dividends in a standard brokerage account. Some dividends, like a return of capital, aren't taxed, and you can also manage withholding by adjusting your W-4 to avoid penalties, notes the IRS. 

Do I need to tell HMRC about dividends?

You must tell HM Revenue and Customs ( HMRC ) every year you receive dividends that you have tax to pay on. How you report dividends to HMRC depends on how much you received.

What if the dividend is more than 5000?

TDS on dividends is applicable when total dividend income during the financial year exceeds ₹5,000. TDS is deducted on dividend income at 10%, but if PAN is not provided to the paying institution, the TDS rate goes up to 20%. As we know, the tax exemption limit under the Income Tax Act begins from Rs 2.5 lakhs.

How to avoid paying tax on share dividends?

To avoid taxes on dividends, hold them in a Roth IRA for tax-free growth and withdrawals, use a Traditional IRA/401(k) to defer taxes until retirement (often a lower bracket), invest in tax-advantaged education accounts, or if your income is low enough, qualify for the zero percent long-term capital gains rate on qualified dividends in a standard brokerage account. Some dividends, like a return of capital, aren't taxed, and you can also manage withholding by adjusting your W-4 to avoid penalties, notes the IRS. 

How much capital gains do I pay on $100,000?

On a $100,000 capital gain, you'll likely pay 15% for long-term gains, resulting in about $15,000 in federal tax (plus potential state tax), but it could be 0% or 20% depending on your total taxable income and filing status, while short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income (potentially 22-24%). 

What is the 8 8 8 rule of Warren Buffett?

Warren Buffett's 8+8+8 Rule is a concept for a balanced life, suggesting dividing your day into three equal 8-hour segments: 8 hours for work, 8 hours for sleep, and 8 hours for yourself (personal growth, family, health). While it emphasizes smart work and rest for productivity, critics note real-life factors like commuting and chores can make perfect balance challenging, but the core idea promotes intentional time management for well-being and success. 

Why avoid dividends?

You don't hear nearly as much about dividend reductions, but they are a real risk for investors. It's not just about diminished income. Dividend cuts, typically a sign of fundamental trouble, are often accompanied by share price declines. So, investors experience a double whammy of declining income and principal.