Tax authorities demand 12 million euros in additional taxes from football clubs | cash

With Operation Zero in mind, not only did the judiciary, but the tax authorities also take a closer look at football. In recent years, more and more football clubs have come under the attention of BBI. While it controlled only four football clubs from 2017 to 2019, there were actually sixteen clubs in the past two years. This is evidenced by a parliamentary question from CD&V Representative Stephen Mathey to Finance Minister Vincent van Bettieghem (CD&V).

From 2017 to 2021, this led to an additional claim for tax increases (10.7 million euros) and value-added tax (1.1 million euros) from three clubs totaling 11.8 million euros. On January 1 of this year, 2.4 million euros of this amount have already been paid. Increased controls will result in greater refunds in the future. A total of 69 fraud inspectors are involved in the football files.

Checks give fraud services the opportunity, among other things, to view documents, order accounts, and view the headquarters of the company. In the event of fraud, the BBI can investigate transactions up to seven years prior. Based on the data it collected, the BBI will recover the evaded tax and levy a tax increase.

“What has been revealed in the world of football in recent years, with systematic tax evasion and money laundering, is a blow to anyone who contributes properly. So the government must continue to focus on such controls. No one is above the law, not even football.” , according to Stephen Mathy.