A British businessman has lost a legal battle to avoid non-dom tax status after a tribunal ruled he could not be classified as a non-domiciled individual despite his long-standing ties to the UK. The founder of a major private hire company argued his deep cultural and familial connections to Ireland—including a lifelong emotional attachment—should override his residency history. Tax authorities successfully challenged his claim, leading to a substantial backlog of unpaid taxes. The case highlights ongoing disputes over how non-dom status is determined for individuals with divided loyalties.
HMRC wins challenge over John Griffin’s claim to be non-dom despite having lived in England since childhoodThe founder of Addison Lee owes £20.5m in tax after a tribunal dismissed a claim that he should be treated as a nom-dom despite living in the UK since childhood.John Griffin had argued he should be treated as a nom-dom due to his connection to Ireland, saying: “I was and am besotted with Ireland, infatuated with Ireland. I believe that I have always been and am Irish.” Continue reading...
