bend it like beckham accused of french tax dodge

Football superstar David Beckham is reportedly being investigated by the French tax authorities over claims that his decision to have wages paid by his new club Paris St Germain directly to charity are simply an elaborate tax dodge.

bend it like beckham accused of french tax dodge

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According to a number of media outlets, including the UK’s Daily Mail, the club’s managing director Jean-Claude Blanc has admitted that a “formal discussion” is already taking place between PSG and France’s “fiscal administration”.

Beckham only signed the deal with PSG at the end of last month and it is unusual for French authorities to speak to wealthy individuals about their tax affairs so soon after they begin working in the country.

However, news that Beckham would be giving his nominal £700,000 salary to children’s charities was met with some derision when first announced, with Conservative MP Gerald Darmanin pointing out it would mean Beckham is paid “less than my parliamentary assistant”.

The concerns over Beckham’s apparent goodwill gesture hang on whether his planned donations are in fact a ploy to avoid a 1.5% tax in France on his worldwide earnings – a tax which would cost him around £3m this year.
 

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