Hypocritical Wanker Alert

Celebrity antisemite Lineker, along with some other millionaires, is calling for HMRC to make them pay more tax.

All very noble you might think, except for the fact that a few years ago Lineker went into battle against a tax bill from HMRC. 

Lineker, the former England footballer and Match of the Day presenter, operated as a freelancer through his partnership, Gary Lineker Media (GLM). HMRC pursued him for around £4.9 million in alleged unpaid income tax and National Insurance Contributions (NIC) for work with the BBC and BT Sport between 2013–2014 and 2017–2018.

HMRC argued that he should be treated as an employee under IR35 (off-payroll working rules), meaning his partnership structure was an "intermediary" and he owed extra tax as if employed directly by the broadcasters. Lineker maintained he was a genuine freelancer who had paid all appropriate taxes.

Outcome

• In March 2023, the First-tier Tribunal ruled decisively in Lineker’s favour. Judge John Brooks found that because Lineker had direct contracts with the BBC and BT Sport (not routed through a qualifying intermediary in the way IR35 requires), the IR35 rules "do not, and cannot as a matter of law, apply." The tribunal set aside HMRC’s demands.
• HMRC appealed but withdrew the appeal in late 2024, shortly before an Upper Tribunal hearing, and settled the case.

Result: Lineker avoided the £4.9m bill. He confirmed he had not failed to pay any taxes or NIC due to IR35. The case turned on a technical contractual point rather than a full employment status test.

This was a notable win for Lineker after a multi-year fight and highlighted complexities in IR35 application for high-profile freelancers with direct client relationships.

Anyhoo, if he and his buddies want to pay more tax there is nothing stopping them: 

 

HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"

Lineker Wins £4.9M Tax Case Against HMRC

Lineker wins his £4.9m tax appeal on the contract law doctrine of privity. FTT held there were contracts "directly between" him and BBC & BT which means that IR35 that applies “where services are provided NOT under a contract directly between client and the worker” doesn't apply. pic.twitter.com/SM9zapRG6F

— Osita Mba (@DrOsitaMba) March 28, 2023

HMRC will most assuredly appeal this, if they don't IR35 is fucked!

Tax does have to be taxing.

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Lineker's Cunning Tax Plan

 

The UK media has got itself into a right old state over Gary Lineker's recent outbreak of Nazi Tourettes, in which he equated proposed changes in the UK asylum regulations with Germany in the 1930s.

This in turn caused a fall out with the BBC, and a spat about whether he was allowed to "speak his mind" etc etc. All dutifully salivated over by our pathetic media.

However, beneath this very public spat lies a possible method in Lineker's madness. The media have dutifully ignored that fact that he is currently in an IR35 dispute with HMRC, over a not so trifling sum of £5M. It hinges on whether Lineker can prove he really is freelance, as opposed to a full time employee. His little bust up with the BBC is designed to show he is freelance, thus saving him a tidy £5M.

Tax does have to be taxing.

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HMRC Says Gary Lineker Owes £4.9M in Tax

 

The dispute has been ongoing for a year according to tax tribunal documents which were published last month. HMRC claims it is owed £3,621,735.90 worth of income tax and £1,313,755.38 as national insurance contributions from Lineker.

Speaking to the Financial Times Jon Holmes, Lineker's agent, defended his client's actions.

“It is a question of whether he is employed by the BBC or not.

Most people, once they understand employment law, would say of course he isn’t. He works for many other people.”

HMRC is arguing Lineker is essentially a “disguised employee”.

HMRC's action covers work the presenter did for the BBC between the 2013-14 and 2016-17 tax years, and BT Sport for the 2015-16 and 2017-18 tax years.

Tax does have to be taxing.

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• Attend any meeting with HMRC
• Appeal to the First-tier Tribunal or Upper Tribunal
• Having the security of knowing that fees will be met in full will enable your Accountant (your tax return agent) to defend your position robustly

Please click here for details.

HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"