Buckingham Palace Fears Possible IRS Raid Thanks To Megxit And Meghan Markle’s American Citizenship
Megxit has been all over the news lately thanks to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wanting to ditch the royals. The Queen and the British Royal Family are having buyer’s remorse and regretting their decision to let the prince marry the former American actress.
Megxit Aside, Markle is legally obligated to pay taxes on foreign income as an American. This includes money from the royal family and UK taxpayers. As well as anything the Canadian government contributes to her and Prince Harry’s bank account. The Queen is Head of State in Canada.
Megxit and possibility of an IRS investigation have the Queen and the British Royal Family hiring top American tax experts. They want to thwart a nightmare audit or possible raid of royal assets.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson told the UK Express:
We’re looking at a level of financial exposure the Royal Family has never had to face before.
A tax audit of the Duchess of Sussex could extend to anyone else she draws money from. This includes Prince Harry and the British Royal Family.
An IRS probe could even extend to the Queen and Prince Charles as they provide funding for the couple.
The IRS is known for its bloodthirsty mafia-style tactics pursuing people they believe owe them money.
Markle’s Post-Megxit Tax Returns Must Reflect Income From Prince Harry And The British Royal Family
Markle’s post-Megxit tax returns would detail any money she and Harry have made since they began living together.
Alistair Bambridge of Bambridge Accountants told The Daily Mail:
The Duke and Duchess are required to give the IRS full details of any joint assets. They are also required to disclose bank accounts or any offshore trusts valued at more than $200,000.
Markle must also declare the perks she receives by joining the British Royal Family. This includes such as the use of Kensington Palace where she currently lives with Prince Harry.
The IRS would need to spend excessive man-hours attempting to work out the market rental value of a royal palace. It’s an Olympian effort and is not for the fainthearted.
Markle will also have to declare personal items. This includes her engagement ring and wedding dress. They are classified as a gift ‘from a foreign person.
Bambridge also stated:
The British Royal Family Voluntarily Pays UK Taxes
The Queen voluntarily agrees to pay income tax and capital gains tax. Since 1993 her personal income has been taxable as for any other taxpayer.
Her Majesty has always been subject to VAT and pays local rates on a voluntary basis.
Queen Elizabeth II receives money from a Sovereign Grant from British taxpayers. She also has access to the Privy Purse. The Privy Purse is her portfolio of land and properties. It also contains her own personal investments.
Experts found the monarchy contributes £1.8billion to Britain’s economy each year through tourism.
The British Royal Family costs British taxpayers around £292 million per year. This equates to £4.50 per person. This cost could double after the Sussexes relocate to Canada.
Meghan and Harry’s British Royal Family Allowance Could Be Taxable After Megxit
Markle will have to declare anything more than $100,000 from Prince Harry or the British Royal Family in the form of an allowance.
Since the age of 21, Prince Harry and Prince William have been receiving an estimated $450,000 a year investment profit from their late mother’s $29.9m estate. Both princes pay UK taxes on income.
British Royal Family Property
The IRS could conceivably tax Nottingham Cottage on the grounds of London’s Kensington Palace. Markle lives there for free. The IRS could consider this a substitute for income.
Her tax preparer may advise her to declare it to avoid any ambiguity.
Joint Assets Of The British Royal Family Could Come Under Scrutiny After Megxit
The Duchess of Sussex also has to give the IRS full details of her finances if she and Harry have any joint assets, bank accounts or offshore trusts in excess of $200,000.
Markle would also have to make that declaration. However, because Prince Harry is a non-resident and non-U.S. citizen, the rule will not apply to him.
The IRS would take an interest in the British royal family’s fortune estimated at $500 million. In the unlikely scenario that Harry becomes King with the Duchess as Queen. However, Prince Harry is sixth in line to the throne, so a detailed return is unlikely to ever happen.
After Megxit, Markle Will Have To Declare Gifts And Perks From The British Royal Family.
The Duke and Duchess will have to pay taxes to the IRS and UK Revenue.
The former actress will also have to pay UK taxes any luxury gifts she bought in the US for Prince Harry or the British Royal Family or face a hefty fine.
Gifts over $188 imported into the UK from outside the EU are liable for customs duty and VAT.
Gifts between $188 and $877 face a customs duty tax of 2.5%.
VAT tax of 20% is also charged on the total value of the goods. The maximum penalty for not paying customs duty is $3482.
But a person caught for the first time is likely to receive a minimum penalty of $348.
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