Former Matalan boss loses bid to reclaim £1m
Overpaid sum will not be returned by HMRC
Overpaid sum will not be returned by HMRC
Multi millionaire
Angus
Monro, the former chief executive of clothing store
Matalan, has lost his bid to reclaim £1m
accidentally overpaid to HM Revenue &
Customs.
Munro asked for the money to be returned, but HMRC refused to return it.
Yesterday, a High Court judge confirmed the taxman’s decision.
Furthermore Munro was also ordered to pay more than £10,000 in legal costs.
The dispute dates back to 1998 when he exercised an option to acquire more
than 1.3 million shares in Matalan – then valued at £2.35 a share – for nothing-
advise from his accountant subsequently revealed that he had paid nearly a £1m
too much in taxes on the deal.
Monro’s only right of appeal is to the special commissioners. According to
reports, Monro has shrugged off his loss – he has a £30m fortune, but the
verdict could set a precedent for other people trying to reclaim overpaid tax.
Further reading:
Directors’ affairs quizzed in corporate tax probes
Taxman relaxes online filing deadline