ALEX’S FIRM ORDERED TO PAY €260K TAX BILL

Singer investigated by HMRC

ALEXANDRA Burke’s firm was hit with a €260,000 bill for unpaid income tax after a two-year HMRC inquiry, the Irish Mirror can reveal. The tax investigation started in 2014 when the pop singer applied to close down her firm, Miss Contagious Limited, with nearly €478,000 in assets. Alexandra, 29, who is currently a contestant on BBC’S Strictly Come Dancing, is listed as a director of the “performing arts” firm. It was set up in October 2009, the year after she won The X Factor.

Official documents show the firm’s liquidation was put on hold while HMRC scrutinised its tax affairs. The liquidators eventually had to hand over €260,533 to settle “an agreed liability due to HMRC” for unpaid income tax and National Insurance.

Liquidators Grant Thornton said: “The tax-related matter was resolved with HMRC earlier this year and the final processes are being undertaken to conclude the liquidation of Miss Contagious Ltd.”

BREAK

Alexandra was the sole shareholder of Miss Contagious and could have used a tax break for entrepreneurs to pay just 10% tax on the assets.

Last year, she transferred her shares in a second firm, Contagious Lady Ltd, which had assets of €205,000, to Miss Contagious. It appears this was put towards the HMRC bill.

The star’s spokesman said: “We can confirm Alexandra’s tax payments are complete and up to date, with her owing no tax to the revenue, either personally or on a corporate basis.

“There was a historic query from the revenue a while ago about one of her companies that was being closed down.

“She addressed that with her accountants and the HMRC and the matter is long since resolved.”