What are dividends?

they'll give it back to you when you sell.

thanks for the info guys, was going to ask some similar questions myself... i just assumed that income tax would be payable on dividends unless i could offset them against interest payments on LOC but sounds like that is not the case at all? although these interest payments could be offset against CGT ?

Also, do dividend payments from index ETFs work any differently from those of normal shares? they seem to be more regular/reliable?

thanks again