RDS 'A' vs 'B' shares

[Simpo Two]

If I was to lob a 5-figure sum into RDS, for the purpose of taking dividends to live on, which should I buy please? I know one is a spin-off of the other but performance wise they seem identical. 100% of one or 50/50...?

Thanks!

[Ozzie Osmond]

Seems to depend whether you pay your income tax in UK or the Netherlands.

"Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares have identical rights, except.....

"Dividends paid on Class A ordinary shares have a Dutch source for tax purposes and are subject to Dutch withholding tax.

"...certain holders of Class B ordinary shares will be entitled to a UK tax credit...."

These sentences are snipped from a longer explanation on the Shell website. See this link for more,
http://www.shell.com/investors/share-price-informa...

Since 5 April 2016 the UK dividend tax credit has been abolished. However, you may still want to steer clear of the Dutch withholding tax on A shares.

[limpsfield]

I have always bought and sold the Bs and I think that is true for the majority of UK investors. It is the Bs that are in the FTSE100

[Simpo Two]

OK thanks folks. I have nothing to do with Holland so 'B' it is. Loking at my statements from a small existing holding 'A' shares are what you get if you have dividends reinvested.

[Simpo Two]

I seem to have broken First Direct's sharedealing website. Quantity or Limit - not difficult... credit is good... there's the share price... but website says no. Rang up - nice bloke but he had no idea either.

Will try again tomorrow!