Rupert Grint owes US$2.3M tax bill, agency finds

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

Former “Harry Potter” film actor Rupert Grint is facing a hefty 1.8 million-pound (US$2.3 million) bill after losing a legal battle with the tax authorities in the United Kingdom.

Grint, known for his role as Ron Weasley in the beloved magical film franchise, was ordered to pay the substantial sum in 2019 following an investigation by H.M. Revenue and Customs, the U.K. tax agency, into his tax return from seven years prior.

The tax agency determined that Grint had incorrectly categorized 4.5 million pounds in residuals from the Harry Potter movies as a capital asset rather than income. These residuals encompassed earnings from DVD sales, TV syndication, streaming rights, and various other sources, all of which are subject to a higher tax rate when classified as income.

Despite Grint’s legal team appealing the decision, a tribunal judge ultimately ruled against the actor this week. Judge Harriet Morgan asserted that the money in question “derived substantially the whole of its value from the activities of Mr. Grint” and therefore should be treated as taxable income.

Over the span of eight films released between 2001 and 2011, Grint, now 36, portrayed Ron Weasley alongside Harry Potter, earning an estimated 24 million pounds from his role in the franchise.

This isn’t the first time Grint has encountered tax-related legal issues, as he lost a separate court battle over a one million pound tax refund in 2019.