Addison Lee founder owes £20.5m in tax after UK tribunal ruling
HMRC wins challenge over John Griffin’s claim to be non-dom despite having lived in England since childhood
TL;DR
- John Griffin, founder of Addison Lee, owes £20.5m in tax after a tribunal ruled against his non-domicile status.
- Griffin argued he should be treated as a nom-dom due to his Irish connections, but the tribunal found he had settled in England since childhood.
- The ruling means Griffin's worldwide income from 2013 to 2020 is subject to UK tax.
- HMRC successfully challenged Griffin's tax returns, stating England was his established home for personal, social, and professional life.
- Griffin's claim of spending sufficient time in Ireland to be domiciled there was deemed inconsistent with permanent relocation.
- The non-dom tax loophole is set to be abolished in April 2025.