HL clients in line for potential £15m payout after challenge to HMRC

Debate over loyalty bonuses

Laura Dew
clock • 2 min read

Hargreaves Lansdown has won a 'discount tax' challenge against HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), which could lead to at least £15m in annual management charges returned to around 150,000 investors.

Hargreaves Lansdown introduced 'loyalty bonuses' - discounts 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 revealed this morning it has been ruled that loyalty bonuses are not taxable. As a result, £15m could potentially be returned to investors, and, in addition, there is now no need to declare these discount...

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 Companies

Chase de Vere's revenue hits £118.6m driven by acquisitions and client referrals

Chase de Vere's revenue hits £118.6m driven by acquisitions and client referrals

Profit before tax reaches £31.9m in 2024

Isabel Baxter
clock 08 July 2025 • 2 min read
FE Fundinfo integrates portfolio analysis and cashflow planning solutions

FE Fundinfo integrates portfolio analysis and cashflow planning solutions

FE Analytics and FE CashCalc integrated on Nexus platform

Isabel Baxter
clock 07 July 2025 • 1 min read
'We didn't have the dedicated capability in place': Sesame's adviser recruitment boost

'We didn't have the dedicated capability in place': Sesame's adviser recruitment boost

Team formed to push network’s growth ‘already making a difference’

Isabel Baxter
clock 03 July 2025 • 3 min read