INTM655060 | Distribution exemption: Interpretation: management expenses
From HM Revenue & Customs · International Manual
Interaction with management expenses
Management expenses will not be incurred for an unallowable purpose solely because they are incurred in connection with a UK or foreign shareholding.
Withholding tax deducted from a dividend may not be included in management expenses irrespective of whether the dividend is taxable, for two reasons:
withheld tax is not an expense of managing investments
if no credit is available in respect of the tax withheld, it is deducted from the exempt income in accordance with TIOPA10/S112 (see INTM655050 regarding the calculation of FII).