Rangers' 'big tax case' verdict expected from Supreme Court
Wednesday 5 July 2017 10:14, UK
The Supreme Court will on Wednesday make a landmark ruling, which will have significant implications on whether football clubs and players - past and present - will have to pay huge sums in unpaid tax and fines.
It's been nicknamed "the big tax case", and it's been brought by HMRC against OldCo Rangers.
It questions the legality of schemes used to help clubs and players avoid paying tax on wages that were instead put into Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTs).
Rangers used the scheme from 2001 to 2010 while under the control of Sir David Murray, who sold the club to Craig Whyte in 2011 for £1 while the tax liability was in dispute.
HMRC lost two tribunals before judges ruled these were salary payments subject to tax. The liquidators of OldCo Rangers were subsequently granted leave to appeal that decision.
If the court rules in favour of HMRC, it is expected to lead to many more cases against other football, rugby union and rugby league clubs in the UK.
If the HMRC loses, we understand the tax authorities will instead start pursuing the individual players who benefitted from the payment schemes.
SSNHQ has been told some of football's leading clubs - who have not been named by officials - reached private settlements with HMRC earlier this year to stave off possible action.
The Supreme Court is expected to deliver its binding verdict at 9.45am.
