Are there any tax considerations for shareholders receiving the dividend, especially for non‑U.S. investors? | IGIC (Aug 14, 2025) | Candlesense

Are there any tax considerations for shareholders receiving the dividend, especially for non‑U.S. investors?

Tax angle – what non‑U.S. investors should watch

IGI’s $0.05‑per‑share ordinary common‑share dividend is paid by a Bermuda‑incorporated insurer that trades on NASDAQ. For a foreign‑incorporated, U.S.–listed security the dividend is treated as foreign‑source income. Consequently, the United States does not levy a 30 % withholding tax on the payment to non‑resident shareholders (unless the payer cannot verify the investor’s foreign‑tax status). The key tax exposure therefore falls on the shareholder’s home‑jurisdiction: most countries tax foreign‑source dividends at the resident’s marginal rate, and many provide a credit for any foreign withholding that might have been applied under a treaty.

To avoid unexpected U.S. backup withholding, non‑U.S. holders should submit a completed Form W‑8BEN (or the equivalent for their broker) before the record date (Sept 1, 2025). If the investor’s country has a reduced treaty rate with the U.S., the form can capture that benefit; otherwise the default 30 % rate may be applied. In practice, the net dividend received will usually be the $0.05 per share less any home‑country tax (e.g., 15 %–25 % in many European jurisdictions) and any possible foreign‑tax credit.

Trading implications

From a market perspective, the modest $0.05 payout represents roughly a 1–2 % annualized yield on IGI’s current price (≈ $2.50–$3.00). The dividend is a purely cosmetic cash‑flow event – it does not signal a change in earnings or capital allocation, and the company’s fundamentals (solid underwriting profit, strong combined ratio, and a diversified specialty‑reinsurance platform) remain unchanged. Technically, IGI’s shares have been trading in a tight range around the $2.50–$3.00 band, with the September‑2025 dividend date coinciding with a typical “dividend‑capture” window.

Actionable take‑aways

Investor type Tax step Trading view
Non‑U.S. shareholders Submit a valid W‑8BEN before Sept 1 to secure treaty benefits (or avoid 30 % backup withholding). Confirm home‑country tax treatment and any credit for foreign tax paid. Anticipate a small, predictable cash inflow; the dividend does not materially shift valuation. If you’re hunting a short‑term “dividend‑capture” play, the modest yield and tight price range suggest limited upside – focus on the underlying specialty‑insurance fundamentals rather than the payout.
U.S. investors No withholding; dividend is taxable ordinary income on the 2025 tax return. Same as above – the dividend is a modest, cash‑flow signal; price action will be driven more by underwriting results and macro‑reinsurance trends than by the $0.05 per‑share payout.

In short, non‑U.S. investors should clear the paperwork now to protect the full $0.05 per share, then evaluate the dividend as a small, predictable cash component while keeping the primary focus on IGI’s strong specialty‑insurance fundamentals and the tight technical profile of the stock.