Budget changes could see footballers taxed extra £45m per year

Budget changes will make image rights payments linked to a footballer’s employment taxable as employment income, bringing them under the same rules as wages. The shift could increase tax bills for players and clubs, with an accountancy firm estimating an extra £45 million in annual revenue for the government.

The rules are due to take effect on 6 April 2028. They could cover adverts featuring players in club colours, while the tax treatment of players in the same sponsorship deal may differ depending on whether their club helped arrange it. UHY Hacker Young’s Elliott Buss said the changes could add to clubs’ wage bills and may be seen as unfair; the article also says HMRC plans to recruit more compliance officers and may review public information, including social media posts.