14 DAY TRIAL // The UK doesn't mess about when it comes to taxes, and the fact that the country is going through a financial crisis means that they're being extra careful with people who try to dodge the system. And that includes celebrities such as George Clooney.
The Telegraph reports that George may find himself into hot water after the British authorities were looking into the matter of his fiancée`s engagement ring. As you may know, a couple of weeks back, the actor got engaged to human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin and gave her a rather pricey gem as a token of their upcoming nuptials.
The couple were in California at the time this took place, in April. Now, several media sources have pointed out the fact that Amal hasn't paid customs tax and VAT tax for the ring, as it's stipulated in local laws for goods bought from non-EU countries and that exceed stated allowances.
Amal was spotted strolling through customs at the Heathrow Airport on May 13, with her seven-carat emerald-cut ring and now this raises questions whether or not she has paid tax on that. According to local laws, the duty on Amal's ring would be 2.5% of the total value, plus an import VAT of 20% of the value.
The resulting figure is no paltry sum, adding to over €111,000 ($151,480). The issue was taken up with Clooney's representative, but, so far, his camp has refused to comment on the issue. “I have no idea of the validity of your story and I have no intention of even addressing it.”
The Customs Office has also declined to comment but has said that they are going to look into the matter, adding that “Everyone has to pay tax on what they owe. If a UK taxpayer comes back into the country with certain goods, then there is duty to pay on those goods.”
At the moment, the rules state that tax should be paid for any piece of jewelry that is worth more than €480 ($654.5). Unfortunately, Amal is not the only celebrity who has forgotten to declare goods upon entering the country. Victoria Beckham also made this category when she was asked to pay back several thousands of pounds after failing to declare a very expensive engagement ring she bought David in the United States.
She paid the sum of money but in the end somehow managed to get it back after she filed for a breach of confidentiality.