Gary Lineker still ‘totally flabbergasted’ after win against HMRC

Gary Lineker reinstated as presenter as BBC apologises

In the midst of the controversy over his recent tweets concerning his opinions of the UK government, Gary Lineker, 62, was also fighting a tax battle with HMRC.

It was announced today that the Match of the Day presenter had won the case, but Gary revealed on Twitter that it hadn’t made the situation much clearer.

He shared an article by The Guardian detailing his battle and victory with his 8.9 million followers, adding: “I had already paid all tax due at the top rate and happily so. I’m still totally flabbergasted as to why I was expected to pay double. Thankfully justice was done.”

The BBC presenter was accused of underpaying his taxes, with the HMRC claiming he owed a staggering £4.9million as part of the IR35 legislation, which was designed to prevent tax avoidance.

Gary was told that his presenting work at BBC and BT Sport should have classed him as an employee of both companies rather than a freelancer.

Gary insisted that he had paid all due taxes and appealed to a tribunal.

On February 27, the first-tier tax tribunal hearing for Gary’s case started, ending on March 1 but the decision was only released today, with the presenter’s appeal being upheld meaning the HMRC were wrong to pursue him.

However, HMRC is reportedly considering appealing this decision as they “do not agree” with the tribunal over the off-payroll rules applied in this case.

This legislation has also brought other stars’ employment terms and finances under scrutiny.

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In 2019, Lorraine Kelly won her own battle against HMRC, which claimed she owed £1.2million in tax.

Fans were quick to share their cheer for Gary’s victory, with AaronDelays dubbing the presenter: “Gary Wineker.”

Rob_G1979 joked: “You’ve had more wins than Leicester this year” while Ukexpat added: “Lineker 2: the Establishment 0” in reference to his controversial tweet earlier this month.

The Twitter row began when home secretary Suella Braverman put forward her controversial plans attempting to manage the migrant crisis posed by arrivals in small boats over the English Channel.

Gary commented on a short clip of the home secretary explaining the policy: “Good heavens, this is beyond awful.”

This statement triggered some discourse in the comments, leading Gary to reply: “There is no huge influx. We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries. This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I’m out of order?”

On The Rest Is Politics podcast on Monday, the former footballer said he is “still bewildered” by the situation.

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