Top foreign players coming for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England will not be exempt from taxes.
British authorities tax the earnings of overseas athletes from prize money at 50 per cent. They also claim a proportion of athletes’ global endorsement income.
But the International Rugby Board did not apply for a tax exemption, leaving foreign players vulnerable to British taxes on any earnings during the six-week tournament.
That’s in contrast to UEFA, which applied for and received an exemption for the two Champions League finalists at Wembley in May, plus athletes competing in the Diamond League event in London in July, and Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year.
The IRB said on Tuesday it didn’t apply for an exemption because it wasn’t necessary, as it didn’t offer appearance fees or bonus payments, and instead paid member unions through grants between World Cups.
English rugby projects the World Cup to have an economic benefit to the country worth $US3.1 billion ($A3 billion).
George
Guest
I once saw a bumper sticker that read: "Don't steal, the government hates competition." 50% tax rates are state orchestrated theft, pure and simple. It should be a crime.