France Telecom's CEO Discusses Q2 2012 Results - Earnings Call Transcript [View article]
It is determined by the tax laws of the country the company is domiciled in. In the case of FTE, it would be France.
You may want to ask your accountant about the wisdom of including such an investment in your IRA. When held outside of a retirement account you are able to recoup much / most / all of the withheld foreign taxes through the IRS defined Foreign Tax Credit, when you file your taxes for the year the divided is paid. That option is not available to you when your stock is held in an IRA because you are not filing income taxes on that amount.
France Telecom's CEO Discusses Q2 2012 Results - Earnings Call Transcript [View article]
You may want to ask your accountant about the wisdom of including such an investment in your IRA. When held outside of a retirement account you are able to recoup much / most / all of the withheld foreign taxes through the IRS defined Foreign Tax Credit, when you file your taxes for the year the divided is paid. That option is not available to you when your stock is held in an IRA because you are not filing income taxes on that amount.