Final answer:
The date the board of directors authorizes the payment of the dividend is the declaration date, making option A correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The declaration date is the date the board of directors formally authorizes the payment of the dividend.
Therefore, the correct option is A) declaration date.
When a company decides to issue a dividend to its shareholders, there is a process in place that includes several key dates.
This process begins with the declaration date, which is when the company's board of directors announces their intention to pay a dividend.
Following this, there is a record date, by which shareholders must be on record to receive the dividend.
Lastly, the payment date is when the dividend is actually paid out to shareholders.