Gary Lineker pursued by HMRC over £5m tax bill
Lineker is the latest star to be chased under IR35 legislation
6 May 2021 • 7:20pm
Gary Lineker is appealing against the £5m bill
Credit: BBC
Gary Lineker is being pursued by HMRC over a £4.9 million tax bill, it has emerged.
The Match of the Day presenter, who is freelance, set up a partnership in 2012 with his then wife and used it to channel his earnings from the BBC and his other job with BT Sport.
The arrangement is legal but HMRC is pursuing presenters who used partnerships and personal service companies, arguing that they were effectively employees and should have paid tax at the same level as those on the payroll.
Television sports star Gary Lineker is embroiled in a £4.9 million battle with the UK tax authority, which has accused him of being a âdisguised employeeâ.
Tax tribunal documents published last month reveal the Match of the Day presenter and former England footballer has been in dispute with HM Revenue & Customs for well over a year.
HMRC are seeking £3.6 million in income tax and £1.3 million in national insurance contributions from Lineker for work he performed for the BBC between the 2013/2014 and 2016/2017 tax years, and for BT Sport during the 2015/2016 and 2017/2018 tax years inclusive.
Linekerâs personal service company, Gary Lineker Media, which was established with his former wife Danielle Bux, disputes that the work done was effectively that of employment.