Rangers stars pursued for tax over EBTS

Former Rangers players who were paid through an offshore trust are believed to have been told they have just weeks to approach the taxman.

Ex-players and staff reportedly face an even bigger bill if they do not meet the deadline.

The Supreme Court upheld a ruling that £47 million paid to Rangers employees between 2001-10 was liable for tax. Those who received employee benefit trusts, which many believed to be loans they would not have to repay, have been told to get advice.

Former Rangers players who were paid through an offshore trust have been told they have “weeks” to approach the taxman, it was reported last night.

According to BBC Scotland, former Ibrox players and staff face an even bigger bill if they don’t meet next month’s deadline.

In 2017, the Supreme Court upheld a Court of Session ruling that £47 million paid to Rangers employees between 20012010 was liable for tax. Now those who received Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTS), which many believed to be loans they would not have to repay,

have been warned to seek “urgent advice”.

The news emerged after BBC Scotland saw a letter sent earlier this month by Trident Trust, a Jersey-based company. It is claimed the letter says: “HMRC has confirmed that it will seek to recover all income tax found by the Supreme Court to be due and that, where HMRC is unable to recover the tax from the employer, it may transfer the liability for unpaid tax... to employees or former employees .”

HMRC can still pursue BDO – the liquidators of RFC 2012 Plc – for a portion of what the company owed, but more could be salvaged by pursuing the former employees, including the likes of current Scotland manager Alex Mcleish.

Mcleish, Rangers boss between 2001 and 2006, received £1.7m in EBT payments, while former Ibrox captain Barry Ferguson received £2.5m.

Those who received the letter have been told to approach HMRC by 30 September or risk facing a bill “on a less favourable basis”.