Actor Rupert Grint, who earned an estimated £24 million from playing the character Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter movies, is fighting Revenue & Customs (HMRC) over a £1 million tax refund he believes he is owed. A previous ruling found that HMRC was entitled to block a tax return of £1 million.
In 2016, Mr Grint tried to claim back tax by changing accounting dates so 20 months of income would be taxed in 2009/10, one year before the top tax rate rose from 40 per cent to 50 per cent. The courts however ruled that, due to the fact that he had not provided a valid reason for making the change, he was not entitled to the refund.
The case has now been taken to the Upper Tribunal, where Mr Grint’s barrister is claiming that the previous judge used the wrong legal test in the ruling. HMRC is contesting the appeal, arguing that the judge made no error of law.
The court is expected to reserve judgment.
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Whether you are in business as an individual or as a corporate, you will want to ensure that you pay no more tax than you are legally bound to do. Our experts at Beavis Morgan can ensure your tax affairs are as efficient as possible to fit your circumstances, and we can look ahead to retirement and inheritance tax planning.
In addition, if you are concerned about a tax enquiry into your affairs, worried that you may have possibly under declared or, worse still, you are already under enquiry, our tax specialists, some of whom are former HMRC Inspector of Taxes, are well versed in dealing with all types of tax issues.
We are also readily available to oversee HMRC disputes on your behalf, as well as to represent clients in appeal proceedings before the Tax Tribunal. In some situations, we can also offer professional fee protection insurance, so the costs are covered in whole or in part.
For more information and to discuss your tax affairs in further detail, contact your usual Beavis Morgan Partner.