Key facts
- Wimbledon champions Jannik Sinner and Linda Noskova have been issued a significant tax bill by HMRC.
- The tax bill is estimated to be around £1.6 million for the two players combined.
- The tax applies to their £3.6 million prize money winnings from the tournament.
- The bill is attributed to specific UK tax regulations for non-resident athletes.
- Players may face additional taxes in their home countries after settling UK liabilities.
Wimbledon champions Jannik Sinner and Linda Noskova are reportedly facing a substantial tax bill from the UK's HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), estimated at £1.6 million. Both players earned £3.6 million each after winning their respective singles titles at the All England Club.
According to Craig Hughes, a partner at Menzies LLP, the tax liability arises from "nuanced and specific tax rules for non-resident sportspersons." While tax may initially be withheld at a rate of 20% (£720,000 per player), the final UK income tax liability could exceed £1.6 million if no deductible expenses are considered. This would leave approximately £2 million for each player after UK income tax, before accounting for agent commissions, coaching, travel, and other professional costs.
To mitigate such tax implications, many top international players opt to skip pre-tournament grass court events in the UK, such as the Queen's Club Championships and tournaments in Eastbourne and Edgbaston, to minimize their time earning income within the country before arriving for the two-week Wimbledon fortnight. Hughes noted that while taxing income generated from high-profile sporting events in the UK is logical, the complexity arises when attributing worldwide endorsement income and associated expenses across international tournament days, especially for athletes with short UK stays.