Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers

England’s top footballers have become the latest high-profile individuals to be named and shamed as tax dodgers. Wayne Rooney alone avoided paying nearly £600,000, with Gareth Barry shirking more than £135,000 in taxes. Today’s Mirror also names Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Theo Walcott, David James, Michael Owen, Andy Carroll and Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere.

Wayne-Rooney-Vodafone
Rooney, who is believed to be on more than £200,000 a week, faced a £623,000 bill on a slice of his earnings - but ended up paying only £25,000.

The Mirror reports:

“The Man United idol, 25, paid himself £1.6million through his image rights firm, incurring a measly 2% tax - even though the top rate was then 40%. England team-mate Gareth Barry, 29, paid just £6,000 tax on £373,000 when he might have been hit by a £142,000 Inland Revenue bill.

“They are among dozens of super-rich footballers who have parts of their wages paid into image rights companies. Some then pay themselves from the firms at just 2% tax as they are deemed directors’ loans - avoiding the current 50% top rate.

“The scheme is legal but will be a kick in the teeth for millions of ordinary supporters who pay tax at normal rates.”

Rooney’s tax dodging will do little to endear him back in the hearts of United fans, coming just months after his contract negotiations – during which he was accused of holding the club to ransom – and just a week after Manchester City Council fired 2,000 staff, a move described by the Unite trade unioin as “savage”.

• The False Economy website is running a poll of the nation’s top tax shirkers: Barclays; Boots; Google; George Osborne; HM Revenue and Customs; HMV; KPMG; Philip Green/Arcadia; SAB Miller; and Vodafone, while UK Uncut is holding a day of action against tax avoidance on Sunday, January 30th – for details see here.

http://twitter.com/anubeon/status/27056866156617728 Lee Hyde

RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk reports @ShamikDas
http://twitter.com/wdjstraw/status/27056883722362880 Will Straw

RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk reports @ShamikDas
http://twitter.com/mayorbatman/status/27057598297546753 Adam West

@rioferdy5 justify this /RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk reports @ShamikDas
http://twitter.com/geoffreyawalker/status/27058209021755392 Geoff Walker

RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk reports @ShamikDas
http://twitter.com/bill512/status/27058432825626624 Bill Perrett

RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk reports @ShamikDas
http://twitter.com/boredlondongurl/status/27058485715800064 Bored London Gurl

RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk reports @ShamikDas
http://twitter.com/thekidfromkenny/status/27058877249884160 Alan G

RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk reports @ShamikDas
http://twitter.com/tonyjoneslab/status/27059489597300737 tonyjoneslab

RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers http://bit.ly/igVFxT
http://twitter.com/peac0ckc/status/27060044784734208 Christopher Peacock

RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk reports @ShamikDas
http://twitter.com/jonathan_todd/status/27060298837921793 Jonathan Todd

RT @leftfootfwd Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk reports @ShamikDas < very disappointing
http://twitter.com/davidtrussler/status/27061075467829248 David Trussler

RT @leftfootfwd Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk reports @ShamikDas < no surprise there!
http://twitter.com/shamikdas/status/27061915360432129 Shamik Das

Rooney, Barry, Rio, Walcott, Ashley Cole… RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk
Anthony Masters

Well, the answer to this is tax simplification. There is no point slandering people when what they are doing is legal, but we should be pressuring the government, regardless of which parties form the government, to provide this much-needed reform of the tax code.
http://twitter.com/bounder/status/27063419848888321 Jon Bounds

RT @Jonathan_Todd: RT @leftfootfwd Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk reports @ShamikDas &l …
http://twitter.com/jamiesw/status/27063997933027328 JamieSW

I expected this from Rooney and Ferdinand, but you Michael? You ought to know better. http://bit.ly/i3XulD *dismantles shrine*
http://twitter.com/rattlecans/status/27064263428276224 Ma

RT @jamiesw: I expected this from Rooney and Ferdinand, but you Michael? You ought to know better. http://bit.ly/i3XulD *dismantles shrine*
http://twitter.com/chr1sr0berts/status/27064555418947584 Chris Roberts

High paid footballers latest to be exposed for tax dodging http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk They live in a different world. #ukuncut
http://twitter.com/tess1959/status/27066170674774016 Teresa

Surprised? RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers http://bit.ly/igVFxT
http://twitter.com/byrichard/status/27066449205927936 Richard Harrowing

RT @Chr1sR0berts: High paid footballers latest to be exposed for tax dodging http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk They live in a different world. #ukuncut
http://twitter.com/s_croyance/status/27066757915086849 Stanléy M.

Rooney, Barry, Rio, Walcott, Wilshere… RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk
http://twitter.com/danny_saxby/status/27067677692403712 Danny Saxby

I was never bothered about footballers earning millions because I thought they paid their taxes. I was wrong. http://bit.ly/fpD3rv
http://twitter.com/mr_onions/status/27071003263762432 Richard Johnson

@ColinBrown09 http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/01/wayne-rooney-tax-dodger/
http://twitter.com/clarebellla/status/27075173463097344 Clarebella

RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers http://bit.ly/igVFxT
http://twitter.com/davidianskinner/status/27079186782887937 David Skinner

3 Lions on my chest but I don't pay tax like the rest. Rooney, Barry, Rio, Walcott, A Cole exposed as tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk
http://twitter.com/farah_pasha/status/27087043972562944 Farah Pasha

RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk reports @ShamikDas
http://twitter.com/susanjones21/status/27088726064627713 Susan Jones

Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: England's top footballers have become the latest high… http://bit.ly/e75eQz
http://twitter.com/lewisatkinson/status/27092431744802816 Lewis Atkinson

This from @leftfootfwd plus the latest multi-million transfers make me tempted to support Gateshead or Jarrow Roofing http://bit.ly/fpD3rv
http://twitter.com/karmiccathy/status/27092523096739840 irene thomson

RT @Chr1sR0berts: High paid footballers latest to be exposed for tax dodging http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk They live in a different world. #ukuncut
Gerald M. Wilkinson

This tax avoidance is typical of the sports industry who rely on the earning of hard working British citizen and together with the team managements’ slowness in paying HMRC their taxes, VAT and NI contiributions and business council taxes needs to be tackled very the utmost urgency. Self employmed and small business people are not allowed to get away with these dodges. Politicians are afraid to ask how individual sport personalities, their team companiesshould be brought into line and their indebtness brought to publlic information.
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“Rooney’s tax dodging will do little to endear him back in the hearts of United fans”

You might be surprised – most of them would probably do the same thing in his position.
http://twitter.com/calyps/status/27103887886389248 ** Ali **

RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers http://bit.ly/igVFxT
http://twitter.com/unitonehifi/status/27110233662820352 chris star

Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers
http://j.mp/dZq7Ax
#ukuncut
http://twitter.com/gobbyrich/status/27113990622543872 Richard Williams

RT @unitonehifi: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers
http://j.mp/dZq7Ax
#ukuncut
http://twitter.com/footyplayernews/status/27115320963502080 Footy Player News

Rooney: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers – Left Foot Forward http://ow.ly/1aUioa
http://twitter.com/falseecon/status/27120896254672897 False Economy

RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk
http://twitter.com/pareayh/status/27121398958788608 Pauline Hammerton

RT @FalseEcon: RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk
http://twitter.com/aspy57/status/27121964762013696 Aspy

RT @FalseEcon: RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk
http://twitter.com/cheekyclaws/status/27124117979275264 Sue Hartley

RT @FalseEcon: RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk
http://twitter.com/wuzzle666/status/27124954134740993 romy bearder

RT @FalseEcon: RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk
http://twitter.com/angstvalve/status/27126153089126400 angstvalve

RT @FalseEcon: RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk
http://twitter.com/rob_cale/status/27127081301180417 rob cale

RT @FalseEcon: RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk
Mr. Sensible

That’s 1 way of looking at it, Anthony.

The award for most unsurprising story of the day goes to…

BTW Shamik, I must admit to being curious as to how HMRC can avoid tax.

I’m not sure that is strictly speeking tax avoidence as such; more like failure to collect taxes owed.

But that entry is right; I think the TUC have made this point.

That is what you call a faulse economy.
http://twitter.com/nick4glengate/status/27128617381138432 Nick Holden

RT @FalseEcon: RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk
http://twitter.com/mswigsy/status/27129022618017792 Wendy Maddox

RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk reports @ShamikDas
http://twitter.com/boredlondongurl/status/27131317938294784 Bored London Gurl

RT @FalseEcon: RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk
http://twitter.com/kantian3/status/27134250490793984 Gary Banham

RT @FalseEcon: RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk
http://twitter.com/nellbridges/status/27136677105369088 Nell Epona Bridges

RT @FalseEcon: RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk
http://twitter.com/dcellwood/status/27137661550469121 David Campbell

RT @FalseEcon: RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk
Debsalini

Anthony, it’s not slander if it’s true. The fact you see this article as a slur on these men’s reputation just shows that what they are doing is unpalatable.
Are you suggesting we should have top rate tax on directors’ loans? Sounds good to me!
http://www.pauldouglasonline.net Paul Douglas

@Anthony Masters It’s not slander, its libel – it’s in print. But it’s not libel either – to be libellous, it’d have to be a lie…And it’s not. Just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s not controversial.
http://twitter.com/alexfujii/status/27170426362793984 Alexander Fujii

Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers | Left …: England's top footballers have become the … http://bit.ly/eG26Ka
http://twitter.com/alexfujii/status/27170426362793984 Alexander Fujii

Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers | Left …: England's top footballers have become the … http://bit.ly/eG26Ka
http://twitter.com/lad_dodgers/status/27170443727216640 Major Dodger Fan

Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers | Left … http://bit.ly/hGBPI0
http://twitter.com/lad_dodgers/status/27170443727216640 Major Dodger Fan

Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers | Left … http://bit.ly/hGBPI0
http://twitter.com/englishfolkfan/status/27175669569945600 Lesley

Fans? you've been conned
RT @leftfootfwd Millionaire footballers exposed as latest tax dodgers http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk /via @FalseEcon #UKuncut
http://twitter.com/englishfolkfan/status/27175719289225216 Lesley

@ChrisGPackham Megabucks is a reason I don't watch footie: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk
http://twitter.com/slintottuk/status/27251295228264448 Stephen Lintott

Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers | Left Foot Forward http://tinyurl.com/6jtp5dv
http://twitter.com/fatcouncillor/status/27263042370674688 The Fat Councillor

RT @EnglishFolkfan: Fans? you've been conned
RT @leftfootfwd Millionaire footballers exposed as latest tax dodgers http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk …
http://twitter.com/kp_ld/status/27263448723230720 Kelly

RT @EnglishFolkfan: Fans? you've been conned
RT @leftfootfwd Millionaire footballers exposed as latest tax dodgers http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk …
http://twitter.com/graveca/status/27269756901920768 Andrew G

RT @EnglishFolkfan: Fans? you've been conned
RT @leftfootfwd Millionaire footballers exposed as latest tax dodgers http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk …
http://twitter.com/mr_georgeb/status/27270610727997440 George B

RT @leftfootfwd Millionaire footballers exposed as latest tax dodgers http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk /via @FalseEcon #UKuncut<< About time too!
http://twitter.com/jackwhitby/status/27270910012563456 Jack Whitby

RT @EnglishFolkfan: Fans? you've been conned
RT @leftfootfwd Millionaire footballers exposed as latest tax dodgers http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk …
http://twitter.com/gazbury/status/27307316701298688 Gary Phillips

@Glinner Seen this? http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/01/wayne-rooney-tax-dodger/
http://twitter.com/cliffjamester/status/27335478835417088 Cliff James

RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers http://bit.ly/igVFxT
http://twitter.com/myinfamy/status/27429859416342528 Daniel Pitt

RT @leftfootfwd: Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers: http://bit.ly/gKk3Gk reports @ShamikDas
http://twitter.com/tancopsey/status/27700410739331072 Tan Copsey

@seaningle How about some coverage of football's tax-dodgers on the pod this week? http://bit.ly/i69SiF
http://twitter.com/j4cksincl4ir/status/32103194880376833 Jack Sinclair

@StarSparkle_UK http://bit.ly/fpD3rv footballer tax dodgers
http://twitter.com/starsparkle_uk/status/32109164968808449 StarSparkle

Doesn't surprise me in the slightest, sadly .@J4ckSincl4ir @StarSparkle_UK http://bit.ly/fpD3rv footballer tax dodgers
http://twitter.com/bitfuzzy/status/32110933748744193 Deb

RT @StarSparkle_UK: Doesn't surprise me in the slightest, sadly .@J4ckSincl4ir @StarSparkle_UK http://bit.ly/fpD3rv footballer tax dodgers
Anthony Masters

I apologise that this is rather out of date, but I was not informed of extra comments on this article.
I was using “slander” in a rather more informal sense, but Paul Douglas, you are absolutely correct. It is rather controversial, but I do want people to focus their ire on the government to simplify these laws.
And yes, it is earned income, so Debsalini, it should be paid at whatever the correct rate is.
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/10/hmrc-boss-dave-hartnett-vodafone-goldman-sachs-tax-dodging-deals/ Protesters demand resignation of HMRC boss for colluding with tax avoiders | Left Foot Forward

[...] Millionaire footballers exposed as the latest tax dodgers – Shamik Das, January 17th [...]