Answer:
The 3 dates of importance on Cash Dividends are the Date of Declaration, Date of Record, and Date of Payment.
The date of Declaration as inferred is the day the company announces the Dividend. There is an accounting entry for this.
The Date of Record is the day on which the company determines which shareholders are going to get dividends. There is no entry here.
The Date of payment is the day the dividends are disbursed. There is an accounting entry here.
Jan 15
DR Retained Earnings $150,000
CR Cash Dividends Payable $150,000
(To record declaration of Dividends)
Feb 15.
No entry
March 15
DR Cash Dividends Payable $150,000
CR Cash $150,000
(To record payment of Dividends).
