Fans humiliate Gary Lineker as he’s pursued by HMRC over HUGE tax bill

Fans have chosen to humiliate former footballer turned presenter Gary Lineker as he’s pursued by HMRC over HUGE tax bill, reports say.

The ex-England player, is being pursued for £4.9 million in tax and national insurance in the most high-profile battle so far between HMRC and celebrities over their employment status.

The taxman claims that Lineker currently owes £3.62 million in income tax and a further £1.31 million in national insurance.

This is because he should have been taxed as a direct employee of the BBC, where he presents the Match of the Day highlights programme, Premier League and FA Cup games on the BBC, as well as fronting shows on BT Sport, where he presents coverage of the UEFA Champions League.

The 60 year old, who set up Gary Lineker Media in 2012 with his wife at the time, Danielle Bux, is appealing against the decision, which is understood to have been made last year.

Last year’s BBC annual report has showed that Lineker was one of the BBC’s highest paid figures, earning between £1,750,000 and £1,754,999, although he has since taken a pay cut following a backlash. His BT Sport earnings aren’t known however.

Experts claim that some of the £4.9million bill would be offset against tax already paid by his business, while he is the latest celebrity if you like to be targeted by HMRC under the so-called IR35 tax law, which has involved other stars including Lorraine Kelly and Eamonn Holmes.

Kelly fought off a £1.2million tax bill for her work at ITV after a judge said she had too much control over her shows to count as a ‘servant’ of the channel.

Holmes meanwhile, was last year left facing a potential bill of up to £250,000 after claiming to be a freelancer but ended up losing his case.

It is thought that HRMC is arguing that Gary Lineker should’ve been treated as an employee, given the nature of his work for the BBC and BT Sport. This would have resulted in a different amount of tax he would have had to pay.

However Dave Chaplin of the ContractCalculator website describes the actions of HMRC against Lineker as ‘grossly unfair’.

He told The Daily Telegraph: ‘Once again, we are seeing a high profile celebrity being targeted in a misguided attempt to shore up the Treasury’s coffers.

‘The fact is that high-paid freelancers like Gary Lineker now pay more tax by operating via a limited company than an employee of the same salary.’

Chaplin adds that the BBC would have benefited more than Lineker by hiring him as self-employed.

Chaplin, quoted on the ContractCalculator website, added: ‘Fortunately, once the amount owned is offset by tax paid, the final amount is likely to be much lower.

‘But that doesn’t mitigate that this attack on a legitimate businessperson and their business is grossly unfair, and Lineker may have a strong case on appeal.’

Last night Lineker’s agent said: ‘He did not employ a service company and he has paid all personal income tax and he remains on a self-employed basis at the BBC and BT Sport.’

As mentioned, fans and other Twitter users humiliate Gary Lineker as he’s pursued by HMRC over the HUGE tax bill…

@RKCC6: What goes round…

@culturaldude: Please let him be found guilty of tax avoidance/evasion.

@StuartHarrower: I trust that the relevant penalties will be applied. Not the kicky ones. The financial penalties……

@Fasgadh27: Why can’t Lineker who earns £1.75M of licence fee money each year at least pay his taxes?

@Didling11: Genuinely very pleased to hear this

@Wishfullthinki9: Absolutely hilarious. It’s made my day.

@eebygum2: As ever, folk are always in favour of higher taxation when it is paid by someone else. Aren’t they @GaryLineker

@KellyFog79: Is it wrong that I find this so funny?!

@MrCEssex1: I know working class people who do more than one job. All PAYE, all pay full tax, doing their bit for the country, rather than hide behind a corporate facade to minimise their tax burden. @GaryLineker doesn’t feel the need.

@Pauldonny1983: Sooooo looks like the rich ex footballer @GaryLineker is being chased by the tax man for “funnelling” money to save on tax whilst preaching to joe public about real life matters. #Hypocrite

@gogogadgetgal: What the guy that took such a moral high ground over the ESL? Surely not? Next ur gonna tell me that Gnev owns a football club with a billionaire probably braking all FFP rules. Hypocrites everywhere!

@brigitteallen: As much as I like Gary Lineker – this is what’s wrong with the tax avoidance of the very wealthy!

@JasonMaguire1: Next time @GaryLineker is giving you a lecture on NHS pay, the money he owes the tax man would cover a considerable amount of their salaries!

@Adam19552407: @GaryLineker tut tut

@irishpete67: Didn’t Gary Lineker accuse owners of #ESL clubs greedy? HMRC are after him for £4.9m in unpaid tax & NI 🤔

@calderscreen: How is it possible to avoid paying 5 million? @GaryLineker

@Alex____Taylor: @GaryLineker pay your taxes you gobshite

😂😂😂😂 could not happen to a …….. chap😂😂

Gary Lineker pursued by HMRC over £5m tax billhttps://t.co/eYTEMkoyPO

— The ‘Few’ (@TomSyvret) May 6, 2021

Hi @GaryLineker do you know that £4.9 million would pay for 150 nurses.

Lol @ you virtue boy. pic.twitter.com/Cionhmwmdg

— Burnside (@BurnsideNotTosh) May 6, 2021

It’s protecting our interests, it’s what we pay taxes for, well most of us.

— føxinthebøx2001 ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 (@foxinthebox2010) May 6, 2021