HMRC targets professional footballers
Following the success of its High Net Worth Unit, HMRC has put together a 100-member "affluence team" to scrutinise the tax affairs of a third of a million people whose wealth exceeds £2.5million.
In particular, the team intends to crack down on professional footballers, especially those that appear to be making use of certain tax loopholes. One particular loophole was allegedly used byJoey Barton's agent in the footballer's reported £80,000-a-week move from Newcastle United to Queens Park Rangers.
Surprisingly, HMRC has also announced that it will turn its attention to tax-dodging by private tutors (including music and language teachers, horse riding instructors and fitness coaches), even if their income appears relatively modest. The recent campaign against plumbers resulted in 600 investigations and five arrests so far.
In particular, the team intends to crack down on professional footballers, especially those that appear to be making use of certain tax loopholes. One particular loophole was allegedly used byJoey Barton's agent in the footballer's reported £80,000-a-week move from Newcastle United to Queens Park Rangers.
Surprisingly, HMRC has also announced that it will turn its attention to tax-dodging by private tutors (including music and language teachers, horse riding instructors and fitness coaches), even if their income appears relatively modest. The recent campaign against plumbers resulted in 600 investigations and five arrests so far.