Rupert Grint, best known for playing Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter films, has been ordered to pay $2.3 million (approximately ₹19 crore) following a lengthy dispute with UK tax authorities. The case centered on Grint’s tax filings for the 2011-2012 financial year, which were scrutinized by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The agency claimed Grint had incorrectly classified about $5.7 million in earnings from Harry Potter residuals — including revenue from DVD sales, TV rights, and streaming royalties — as capital assets instead of income, which would have subjected them to a lower tax rate.
Grint had formed Clay 10 Ltd and sold his residual rights to the entity, which managed the actor’s business affairs. He argued that since the residuals belonged to a company he owned, they should be taxed as a capital gain, which is taxed at a lower rate than regular income, reports Sky News. HMRC, however, disagreed, saying the money “derived substantially the whole of its value from the activities of Mr Grint” and was “otherwise realized as income.”
A judge ruled in favor of the taxman this week, dismissing Grint’s appeal. The ruling finalizes an ongoing case since 2019 and reinforces HMRC’s stance on the taxation of earnings from entertainment and intellectual property rights.
The 36-year-old actor is best known for his roles in the eight Harry Potter films released between 2001 and 2011. Since the series ended, he has starred in a few movies, including Into the White and Knock at the Cabin, and has also appeared on television with Apple TV’s Servant.
In a statement, a spokeswoman for HMRC said that the actor had “no grounds to challenge the tribunal’s decision” and would pay the sum owed. She added that the decision also reinforces the need for actors and others to keep clear and consistent records of their income.
Grint’s case is the latest reminder that even high-earning celebrities are not immune to erroneous tax payments. A recent ruling saw a US rapper have to pay millions in back taxes over an error on his return. This story was updated on July 13 at 12:30 PM ET.
