Rupert Grint Faces £1.8 Million Tax Bill After Losing HMRC Legal Battle

Former Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint must pay over £1.8 million (€2.2 million) in UK taxes after a legal fight with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Grint, known for his role as Ron Weasley, faced this tax issue stemming from his 2011-12 tax return.

In 2019, HMRC investigated Grint’s tax situation after he received £4.5 million (€5.4 million) from a business management company. He claimed this amount was for “rights, records, and goodwill,” considering it a “capital asset” subject to capital gains tax. However, HMRC argued that it should be classified as income. They later told Grint he owed an extra £1,801,060 (€2,168,278) in taxes.

Grint appealed HMRC’s decision at a Tribunal hearing in London in late 2022. His lawyers argued that he had paid the correct amount of tax. Nonetheless, Judge Harriet Morgan dismissed the appeal. She ruled that the money was taxable as income, stating it gained most of its value from Grint’s own activities. The judge confirmed it was realized as income in the 2011-12 tax year.

Grint started his career in Harry Potter in 2001 and has reportedly earned around £24 million (€28.9 million) from his role. He also faced a separate court case regarding a £1 million (€1.2 million) tax refund in 2019, which he lost.