How much dividend does VOO pay?

VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) pays dividends quarterly. The total annual dividend per share is typically $6.00–$7.50, representing a yield of roughly 1.3%–1.5% based on VOO's share price in the $480–$540 range. The exact dividend varies each quarter based on the dividends paid by the 500 companies in the S&P 500 index. Vanguard passes through the underlying dividends after deducting the 0.03% expense ratio.

When does VOO pay its dividend?

VOO pays dividends four times per year — once per quarter. The ex-dividend dates typically fall in late March, late June, late September, and late December. The payment date is usually 2–3 weeks after the ex-dividend date. To receive the next dividend, you must own VOO shares before the ex-dividend date. You can find current and upcoming dividend dates on Vanguard's official ETF page or at nasdaq.com/market-activity/funds-and-etfs/voo/dividend-history.

Are VOO dividends qualified or ordinary?

Most VOO dividends are qualified dividends, which means they are taxed at the lower long-term capital gains rates (0%, 15%, or 20%) rather than ordinary income rates. VOO holds 500 large US companies, the vast majority of which pay qualified dividends. A small portion of VOO's dividends may be ordinary (non-qualified), such as dividends from REITs within the index. Vanguard reports the breakdown on Form 1099-DIV each January.

Does VOO automatically reinvest dividends?

Yes, if you enroll in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) through your brokerage. Most major brokers (Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard Brokerage) allow you to automatically reinvest VOO dividends into additional fractional shares at no cost. DRIP enrollment is a simple setting in your account. Reinvested dividends are still taxable in the year received, even though you never receive cash — your broker reports them on Form 1099-DIV.

VOO Dividend 2026 — Vanguard S&P 500 ETF Yield, History, and Payment Dates

VOO — the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF — pays a quarterly dividend with an annual yield of approximately 1.3%–1.5% in 2026. At a share price of around $520, that translates to roughly $6.75–$7.80 per share per year, paid in four quarterly installments. VOO is not primarily an income investment — it’s a total-return index fund — but its dividends are a meaningful component of long-term returns.

VOO Dividend at a Glance (2026)

Feature	Detail
Dividend yield (approx.)	1.3%–1.5%
Payment frequency	Quarterly (4x per year)
Ex-dividend months	March, June, September, December
Estimated annual dividend	~$6.75–$7.80 per share
Expense ratio	0.03%
Dividend type	Primarily qualified
Tracks	S&P 500 index

VOO Dividend History — Recent Quarters

VOO’s quarterly dividend fluctuates based on dividends paid by the 500 companies in the S&P 500. Here are recent historical dividends per share:

Quarter	Ex-Dividend Date (Approx.)	Dividend Per Share
Q4 2025	December 2025	~$1.85
Q3 2025	September 2025	~$1.65
Q2 2025	June 2025	~$1.60
Q1 2025	March 2025	~$1.55
Q4 2024	December 2024	~$1.78
Q3 2024	September 2024	~$1.59

Figures are approximate. Check Vanguard’s official VOO page or nasdaq.com for exact historical dividend amounts and upcoming ex-dividend dates.

Note: Q4 dividends are typically the largest because many S&P 500 companies pay year-end or special dividends in December.

How VOO’s Dividend Yield Is Calculated

Dividend yield = Annual dividends per share ÷ Current share price

Example at $520/share with $7.00 annual dividend: $7.00 ÷ $520 = 1.35% yield

VOO’s yield appears low compared to dividend-focused funds because the S&P 500 is a blend of growth and income companies. Many large index components (Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway B, Alphabet) pay no dividend. Companies that do pay dividends (Apple, Microsoft, JPMorgan) tend to pay modest yields because their share prices have appreciated significantly.

2026 VOO Ex-Dividend Dates (Estimated)

Vanguard announces exact dates each quarter. Based on historical patterns:

Quarter	Estimated Ex-Dividend Date	Estimated Payment Date
Q1 2026	Late March 2026	Mid-April 2026
Q2 2026	Late June 2026	Mid-July 2026
Q3 2026	Late September 2026	Mid-October 2026
Q4 2026	Late December 2026	Mid-January 2027

To receive a dividend: You must own VOO shares before the ex-dividend date. If you buy shares on or after the ex-dividend date, you will not receive that quarter’s dividend — the previous owner collects it.

How VOO Dividends Are Taxed

VOO dividends in a taxable brokerage account are taxable in the year received, even if automatically reinvested through DRIP.

Dividend Type	Tax Rate
Qualified dividends (most of VOO’s payout)	0%, 15%, or 20% depending on income
Ordinary dividends (small portion)	Ordinary income rates (10%–37%)

2026 qualified dividend tax rates:

0% if your taxable income is under $48,350 (single) or $96,700 (married filing jointly)
15% for income between those thresholds and $533,400/$600,050
20% above those thresholds

In a traditional IRA or 401(k): Dividends grow tax-deferred — no tax until withdrawal. In a Roth IRA: Dividends grow completely tax-free.

VOO vs. Other S&P 500 ETFs — Dividend Comparison

ETF	Dividend Yield (Approx.)	Expense Ratio	Notes
VOO (Vanguard)	~1.4%	0.03%	Largest S&P 500 ETF by assets
IVV (iShares)	~1.4%	0.03%	Near-identical to VOO
SPY (SPDR)	~1.3%	0.0945%	Oldest S&P 500 ETF; higher expense ratio
SPLG (SPDR)	~1.4%	0.02%	Cheaper SPY alternative

VOO and IVV are the lowest-cost options and nearly identical in performance. SPY has a higher expense ratio but is the most liquid, making it preferred by traders.

Dividend Reinvestment — The Compounding Power

If you reinvest VOO dividends over time, the compounding effect is significant:

Example: $10,000 invested in VOO, held 30 years, 7% annual return (includes dividend reinvestment)

Without DRIP (dividends taken as cash)	With DRIP (dividends reinvested)
~$55,400	~$76,100

Reinvesting dividends adds approximately $20,700 in this example — a 37% improvement — from the compounding effect of reinvested income buying more shares that themselves pay dividends.

Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.

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