American tennis star Andre Agassi was told on Wednesday he must pay British tax on income earned from endorsements.
In a ruling with implications for other sports and entertainment stars, a judge at London’s High Court said Agassi had to pay around £27 500 (US$50 000) in tax on income paid by American sportswear maker Nike and Austria’s Head Sports to his US-based company Agassi Enterprises Inc.
British tax authorities argued that because Agassi spent time each year competing at Wimbledon and other tournaments in Britain, that activity was relevant to his endorsement earnings.
Agassi’s lawyers had appealed a tax demand for the 1998-99 tax year.
But judge Sir Gavin Lightman agreed with tax officials that Agassi was liable for tax on income connected to his activities in Britain, even if the paying and receiving companies had no tax presence in London. – Sapa-AP