Canada – United Kingdom Tax Treaty
The Canada-United Kingdom tax treaty caps withholding on dividends at 15% for portfolio investors and 5% for qualifying direct investment, and interest at 10%. Royalty rates vary by category, from 0% on copyright to 10% on film and television. Private pensions are taxable only in the country of residence, with no withholding at source. This is one of 51 active treaties in Canada's network and one of 54 in United Kingdom's. The general dividend rate of 15% compares to a median of 15% across Canada's network and 15% across United Kingdom's.
Verified data
CRA Part XIII Withholding Tax Rates (canada.ca) (Verified April 2026)
Withholding Rate Summary
Source: Canada Treaty Reference| Income Type | Treaty Rate | Statutory Rate (Canada) |
|---|---|---|
| Dividends (general) Portfolio investors | 15%saves 10% | 25% |
| Dividends (qualified) Beneficial owner is a company holding >= 10% of voting stock | 5%saves 20% | 25% |
| Interest Bank interest, bonds, loans | 10%saves 15% | 25% |
| Royalties (avg) Patents, copyright, know-how, film/TV | 2.5% | — |
| Pensions Private pension distributions | 0% | — |
| Social Security Government social security benefits | 0% | — |
“Treaty Rate” is the maximum withholding permitted under this treaty. The actual effective rate may be lower if domestic law provides a more favorable rate independently. “Statutory Rate (Canada)” shows the rate that applies when no treaty benefit is claimed. Qualified dividend rate requires: Beneficial owner is a company holding >= 10% of voting stock.
Dividends
The general dividend rate of 15% applies to portfolio investors. A reduced rate of 5% is available when beneficial owner is a company holding >= 10% of voting stock. Without the treaty, the statutory withholding rate on dividends is 25%.
Source: Canada Treaty Reference
Interest
Interest payments (bank interest, bonds, loans) are subject to 10% withholding under this treaty, compared to the 25% statutory rate. This represents a 15% reduction from the statutory rate.
Source: Canada Treaty Reference
Royalties
Royalty withholding rates vary by the type of intellectual property. This treaty distinguishes 4 categories, with rates ranging from 0% to 10%.
Source: Canada Treaty Reference
Pensions & Social Security
Private pension distributions are taxable only in the country of residence, with no withholding at source. Government social security benefits are exempt from source-country withholding.
Source: Canada Treaty Reference
Comparative Context
🇨🇦Canada's Network
Among Canada's 51 active treaty partners, the 15% general dividend rate ranks 18th (median: 15%).
| Partner | Rate |
|---|---|
| Spain | 15% |
| Finland | 15% |
| France | 15% |
| United Kingdom (this treaty) | 15% |
| Greece | 15% |
| Hong Kong | 15% |
| Croatia | 15% |
🇬🇧United Kingdom's Network
Among United Kingdom's 54 active treaty partners, the 15% general dividend rate ranks 12th (median: 15%).
| Partner | Rate |
|---|---|
| Belgium | 15% |
| Bulgaria | 15% |
| Brazil | 15% |
| Canada (this treaty) | 15% |
| Switzerland | 15% |
| Chile | 15% |
| Colombia | 15% |