HMRC appeals Hargreaves Lansdown's 'discount' tax win

Debate over loyalty bonuses

Laura Dew
clock • 2 min read

Hargreaves Lansdown has revealed HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is appealing the ruling of a tax tribunal, which ruled in favour of the platform giant for rewarding loyal clients with a 'discount' tax, and could lead to £15m in charges being returned to 150,000 investors.

In March, Hargreaves Lansdown announced it had won a 'discount tax' challenge against HMRC after it introduced 'loyalty bonuses' - discount provided against the ongoing management charges - for clients over 15 years ago, but in April 2013 the rebates were deemed taxable by HMRC.  In September 2013, Hargreaves Lansdown launched a legal challenge to this rule calling it an "unwarranted attack on private investors". The firm took the case to the tax tribunal and it was ruled that loyalty bonuses are not taxable. As a result, £15m could potentially be returned to investors, and, in add...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Wrap/platforms

Wealthtime signs ten-year deal with Wipro to overhaul platform

Wealthtime signs ten-year deal with Wipro to overhaul platform

The firm will use Wipro's artificial intelligence

Sahar Nazir
clock 01 April 2025 • 2 min read
Adviser platform assets up to £616.2bn in 2024

Adviser platform assets up to £616.2bn in 2024

Strong advised platform new business throughout 2024

Jenna Brown
clock 19 March 2025 • 3 min read
Aberdeen's Kenny: 'We need to get our flows into positive territory'

Aberdeen's Kenny: 'We need to get our flows into positive territory'

CDO on service, technology and ‘moving the dial’

Isabel Baxter
clock 13 March 2025 • 4 min read