| Eircom clubs in tax investigation
A MAJOR tax investigation has been launched into the financial
affairs of football clubs in Ireland’s Eircom League.
The Revenue Commissioners have started the probe with the 22-team league
termed with audits under way on a number of clubs.
The move comes after it emerged that some of the clubs have significant
tax bills.
It is the latest in a series of investigations undertaken by the Revenue
Commissioners into specific industries.
Other probes have looked at takeaway food outlets and hairdressers.
One of the main areas of concern in the Eircom League probe is believed
to be tax liabilities on players’ wages — with a number of
complaining in the past they had not received payslips or the amount on
the slip was not equal to the figure received.
The Revenue Commissioners said every team in the Eircom League was involved
in the latest investigation which was expected to take some time.
Two weeks ago, the Revenue Commissioners issued a High Court petition
to wind up the company which runs Shelbourne FC.
Shelbourne owes about ¤300,000 in back taxes.
Clubs in the Eircom League were identified as being of specific risk about
a year ago by a unit within the Revenue Commissioners.
Of the 22 clubs in the Eircom League it is reported that more than half
are in arrears with the Revenue Commissioners.
|
