Match of the Day host Gary Lineker wins £4.9million tax battle with HMRC

MATCH of the Day host Gary Lineker has won a £4.9million tax battle.

HMRC had claimed he should have been classed as an employee of the BBC and BT Sport for presenting duties, rather than as a freelancer.

Match of the Day host Gary Lineker has won a £4.9million tax battle with HMRCPA

The taxman pursued him for £4.9million it said was owed on his income between 2013 and 2018.

But Gary, 62, insisted all taxes were paid on the income via a partnership set up in 2012 with then-wife Danielle Bux.

Legislation called IR35 tackles tax avoidance by so-called disguised employees, who charge for services via limited firms.

But tribunal judge John Brooks found that because Lineker had direct contracts with both the BBC and BT Sport, IR35 did not apply in this case.

HMRC may appeal.

It comes amid recent controversy surrounding a tweet from Lineker that the BBC originally deemed to be in breach of their guidelines.

Lineker took to Twitter to hit out at the Illegal Migration Bill, which bans migrants who arrive on small boats from settling in Britain.

He tweeted: “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?”

The comment attracted criticism from MPs and was branded “offensive” by the Home Secretary.

But bosses later apologised to Lineker and announced he would return to hosting duties.