BP in claim for UK taxes paid 'by mistake'

LONDON: BP Plc is claiming nearly 300 million pounds ($483.6 million) plus compensation from the UK government for taxes it paid "by mistake" more than a decade ago, the Sunday Telegraph reported.

The UK energy giant claimed that HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) "wrongly" charged it stamp duty reserve tax when it bought Atlantic Richfield (ARCO) in 1999, the paper said.

In a claim filed at the High Court in December, BP is seeking repayment of 186.4 million pounds, plus compound interest of 96.2 million, and compensation for "loss caused by the payment of the disputed duty," the Telegraph said.