Harry and the author's tax bill

14 July 2005 / Mike Truman

Issue: 4016 / Categories: Comment & Analysis

MIKE TRUMAN looks at this week's blockbuster release, and wonders about J K Rowling's tax bill.

THE PUBLICATION OF Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince this weekend will add more millions to author J K Rowling's fortune. Unlike many other writers and artistes she has shown no inclination to leave the country in order to protect her earnings from tax. That doesn't stop us speculating how she COULD save tax if she wanted to…

MIKE TRUMAN looks at this week's blockbuster release and wonders about J K Rowling's tax bill.

THE PUBLICATION OF Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince this weekend will add more millions to author J K Rowling's fortune. Unlike many other writers and artistes she has shown no inclination to leave the country in order to protect her earnings from tax. That doesn't stop us speculating how she COULD save tax if she wanted to…

“Harry why are you still poring over those yellow and orange books you're getting as bad as Hermione?”
“It's The Author Ron. I'm worried about the amount of tax she's paying. According to The Scotsman she earned £125 million in 2003 when the last book came out. She must have paid about £50 million in tax. Just think of the sweets you could buy in Hogsmeade for that!”
Ron winced....

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