Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint has been ordered to pay £1.8m in back taxes following a legal dispute with the UK's Revenue and Customs Agency (HMRC).

Grint, best known for his role as Ron Weasley in the hit film series, was ordered to pay the amount in 2019 when HMRC questioned one of his tax returns, but the actor subsequently appealed the decision.

HMRC disputed £4.5m in income he received in the 2011-2012 tax year. The agency said it should have been taxed as ordinary income, not as a capital asset.

The 36-year-old actor, who is the sole shareholder in a company that manages his business affairs, claims the payment is related to residual income and bonuses from the Harry Potter films.

Grint's lawyers have argued that he should only pay capital gains tax, which would be at a rate of 10%. However, HMRC has said the money should be taxed as income at a higher rate of 52%. Judge Harriet Morgan ruled in favour of HMRC after dismissing Grint's appeal.

This is not the first time the actor's tax affairs have been the subject of legal proceedings. In 2016, Grint lost another court case involving a £1m tax refund.

Grint starred in all eight Harry Potter films between 2001 and 2011. | BGNES