Actor Rupert Grint, best known for his role as Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter films, has been ordered to pay £1.8m in tax. The ruling comes after Grint lost a legal battle with HM Revenue & Customs over tax owed on income received from a company that managed his business. During the 2011-2012 tax year, Grint received £4.5m which was described as being for “likely residual income and bonuses” resulting from the Harry Potter franchise.
Grint’s lawyers had argued that the income he received from the business had been correctly taxed as a capital asset. However, HMRC disagreed, insisting it should have been taxed as income at a higher rate. Grint’s appeal has now been dismissed by a tax tribunal judge. In her verdict, Harriet Morgan said that Grint’s appeal failed because the money “derived substantially the whole of its value from the activities of Mr Grint,” which was “otherwise realised” as income.
This is not the first time Grint has become embroiled in legal action over tax matters. In 2019, he was also ordered to repay a £1m tax refund which he had previously been awarded. Since his time in the Harry Potter franchise, Grint has continued to act, appearing in films such as Into the White and Knock at the Cabin. He also recently starred in the Apple TV series Servant.
The case is a reminder to taxpayers of the complexity of tax rules and laws. It is essential that individuals and business owners seek reliable advice and support from qualified tax professionals to ensure that they comply with their tax obligations and avoid facing large bills from HMRC
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