CyprusDeskToolsSalary vs Dividends
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Salary vs Dividends Optimiser

Compare the total tax cost of different pay structures for a Cyprus company director. Includes income tax, social insurance, GESY, SDC, and corporation tax.

100% Dividends
Salary€0
Net dividends€127,500
Income tax– €0
Social insurance (employee)– €0
Social insurance (employer)– €0
GESY total– €3,379
SDC on dividends€0 (non-dom)
Corporation tax– €22,500
Net take-home€124,121
Total tax burden€25,879 · 17.3%
✓ Most efficient
€20k Salary
Salary€19,500
Net dividends€110,925
Income tax– €0
Social insurance (employee)– €1,716
Social insurance (employer)– €1,716
GESY total– €3,973
SDC on dividends€0 (non-dom)
Corporation tax– €19,575
Net take-home€125,253
Total tax burden€26,980 · 17.7%
€75k Salary
Salary€75,000
Net dividends€63,750
Income tax– €16,135
Social insurance (employee)– €5,280
Social insurance (employer)– €5,280
GESY total– €5,664
SDC on dividends€0 (non-dom)
Corporation tax– €11,250
Net take-home€113,658
Total tax burden€43,609 · 27.7%
100% Salary
Salary€150,000
Net dividends€0
Income tax– €42,385
Social insurance (employee)– €5,280
Social insurance (employer)– €5,280
GESY total– €7,950
SDC on dividends€0 (non-dom)
Corporation tax– €0
Net take-home€98,360
Total tax burden€60,895 · 38.2%

How to read this

Why salary matters: Salary is a deductible expense for the company, reducing taxable profit and corporation tax. But it triggers income tax and social insurance, which can be steep.

€19,500 salary: This is the income tax exemption threshold in Cyprus — you pay 0% income tax on the first €19,500. Taking a salary up to this amount is usually tax-efficient.

Non-Dom advantage: Non-domiciled residents pay 0% SDC on dividends (vs 17% for domiciled residents). For high-dividend scenarios, this is a significant saving.

Social insurance ceiling: SI contributions are capped at ~€60,000 of annual salary. Above this ceiling, additional salary doesn't increase SI costs.