Peter Fairchild explains how overseas sports stars are taxed in the UK
With the men’s and women’s football World Cups complete, the wait for the next tournament has begun. Tournaments of this scale in any sport take years of planning and financing from governing bodies and the countries throwing their hat in the ring to play host. Late last year, UEFA, European Football’s governing body, warned the UK and Ireland over their bid for the Euro Championships in 2028, one of the major concerns being the tax treatment of competing players.
From a purely sporting perspective, competing in major tournaments represents the pinnacle of an international sports star’s career. Similarly for tournament hosts, the excitement and economic boost that such events bring can uplift a nation. But as UEFA’s warning indicates, beneath the surface of this seemingly win-win scenario of celebration for all lies a complex web of tax issues to unwrap.
This article explains the tax framework for overseas sports stars competing in the UK, looking at:
- What are the UK tax rules for non-resident sports people?
- How is a sportsperson’s UK endorsement income calculated?
- What are the drawbacks of the UK’s method of taxing athletes?
- Are there tax exemptions for athletes?
- Should athletes seek expert help?
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