HMRC probes 100 more BBC presenters suspected of tax avoidance after two ticked off by taxman
Presenters paid through their own companies are thought to have cut tax bills by falsely classifying themselves as self-employed
MORE than 100 BBC presenters are being probed for avoiding tax after being paid through their own companies.
The taxman suspects many used controversial personal service companies to cut bills.
They now face huge demands for unpaid tax and National Insurance over claims they wrongly classified themselves as self-employed. Many facing back-payments are understood to be BBC News hosts.
The HMRC crackdown emerged after details of a recent tribunal involving BBC News presenters Joanna Gosling and Tim Willcox were published.
They are appealing against extra tax and National Insurance they were ordered to pay.
During the case it emerged HMRC is considering a further 100 cases of “current or former BBC presenters”.
Investigators have been working through a list of 469 people “engaged” this way and deciding which should be looked at.
The BBC recently revealed 85 presenters had been moved on to staff contracts.
Stars previously paid through service companies include Fiona Bruce and Jeremy Paxman.
There is no suggestion they are suspected of any wrongdoing. The taxman also intends to target other broadcasters.
A BBC spokesman said: “This is an industry-wide issue and affects a number of organisations.
“This tribunal relates to tax issues between 2006 and early 2013 and not the present day.
“It is up to individuals to pay the right tax and since 2013 the BBC has adopted an employment test that provides a clear and consistent approach to the status of journalists and presenters.”
HMRC said: “When the employment relationship does not accurately reflect the underlying reality of the relationship, the wrong tax is paid then we intervene to ensure the rules apply.”