Which of the following statements about dividends is correct?

• A. Dividends represent the corporation's retained earnings reinvested in the business.
• B. Dividends are mandatory payments required by law for all corporations.
• C. Dividends are payments made to creditors of a corporation.
• D. Dividends are resources paid to the owners (shareholders) of a corporation.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of dividends: Dividends are distributions of a corporation's earnings to its shareholders, typically in the form of cash or additional shares. They represent a return on investment to the owners of the corporation.
2. Clarify the incorrect options: Dividends are not retained earnings reinvested in the business. Retained earnings are profits kept within the company for growth or other purposes, not distributed to shareholders.
3. Explain why dividends are not mandatory: Dividends are not required by law. Corporations decide whether to pay dividends based on their financial health, profitability, and strategic goals.
4. Distinguish dividends from payments to creditors: Dividends are paid to shareholders, not creditors. Payments to creditors are obligations such as interest or principal repayment on loans, which are separate from dividends.
5. Confirm the correct statement: Dividends are resources paid to the owners (shareholders) of a corporation, as they represent a share of the company's profits distributed to its investors.