Harry Potter star Rupert Grint in trouble with the taxman as he tries to claw back £1million from HMRC
The 27-year-old claims he has overpaid the tax on his £24million fortune and is seeking a refund
HARRY Potter star Rupert Grint is embroiled in a legal battle with HMRC over a £1million tax bill.
The actor, 27, is said to have built up a £24million fortune while playing Ron Weasley in the hit film series.
But the taxman is unhappy with the way he tried to reduce his tax bill, the Tax Chamber at London’s Royal Courts of Justice heard on Monday.
Grint’s row with HMRC began when he tried to change his accounting dates in 2010, to try and limit the impact of a rise in the top rate of tax from 40 per cent to 50 per cent.
He says he filed full accounts that reflected this change but the revenue says his paperwork amounted to just a “schedule”.
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They also claim he failed to qualify for the change due to issues with the timing.
No value was given for the difference in tax liability, but his solicitor indicated outside court that it may be around £1million.
Grint declared a turnover of £28million and net profit of £15million over a 20 month period leading up to April 5, 2010.
This covered some of the period when he was filming alongside movie co-stars Daniel Radcliffe, 26, and Emma Watson, 26, the court heard.
The actor told the court he was advised to change the dates during a meeting with his accountant.
And he insists he has paid every penny of tax up front.
He has taken the HMRC to court in a bid to secure a rebate on the “excess” money paid.
Grint’s barrister Patrick Soares told the tribunal: “There is no tax avoidance involved here.
“He has paid all his tax up front. If he wins the case he gets a refund. He just wants to make that point in open court.”
Mr Soares described Grint as a “well-known actor in the Harry Potter series - Ron Weasley - which was filmed in 2001 to 2011.”
Speaking about his accountant, Dan Clay, Grint told the court: “I am not too great. My knowledge of this is quite limited so I put a lot of faith and trust in Dan’s knowledge.”
The hearing continues.
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