As J.K. Rowling’s Ron Weasley, Rupert Grint faced a number of challenges, including keeping the Philosopher’s Stone from Professor Quirinus Quirrell, finding and destroying the Horcruxes of Lord Voldemort with Harry and Hermione, and fighting in the Battle of Hogwarts. Grint, however, has come up against a Voldemort-sized obstacle in the form of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Grint has gone to court seeking a refund worth approximately £1 million ($1.33 million U.S.) as part of a tax dispute.
The dispute focuses on Grint’s choice to use an accounting period shorter than 12 months between 31 July 2009 and 5 April 2010. Grint made millions as part of the Harry Potter franchise, shooting the final films, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and Part 2, in 2009 and 2010. Grint’s take was said to be just below co-star, Emma Watson, who was named Hollywood’s highest paid female actor by Vanity Fair after pulling in a cool £20 million ($26.60 million US).
The point of the accounting period switch was to try and ward off an increase in the top tax rate from 40% to 50%. The rate increase, which was levied on taxable incomes over £150,000 ($199,480.50 US) was thought to affect the 300,000 highest earners in the UK, out of an estimated 29 million people who pay income tax. George Osborne scaled the tax back two years later.
Tax inspectors initially rejected the change after finding an accounting document during an unrelated audit which showed a different date. That document, argued Grint’s lawyers, was informal and not meant to be dispositive.
For his part, Grint testified that his knowledge about his finances was “quite limited” and that he left the details to his father, Nigel, and his accountant, Dan Clay (yes, shades of Messi and Neymar).
Grint has already paid the higher tax due, with his lawyer, Patrick Soares, stressing to the court, “There is no tax avoidance involved here.” If Grint wins his case, he takes home the refund.
The hearing is expected to end tomorrow.
