HMRC’s Tax Troubles Tied to the “I’m a Celebrity” Show
As the latest <I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here season winds down, a leading advisory firm is predicting a tax nightmare for the UK’s Revenue Office. According to Robert Salter, partner at Blick Rothenberg, the hefty nickels paid to the stars could slip through HMRC’s fingers.
Why the Stars Keep Earning Big in Australia
- Unlike the COVID‑era production that taped in Wales, the new season is filmed in Australia.
- Compensation for the top performers is rumored to reach £1.5 million each.
- Australian tax rules mean those earnings are first taxed down in Sydney, not London.
In plain terms, the money earned overseas gets a “tax credit” when the star returns to the UK. This credit can offset the UK’s 45% income tax and 2% National Insurance that would otherwise be due.
What That Means for HMRC
- When the show was filmed in Wales, the entire tax bill (both income tax and NICs) went straight to HMRC.
- Under those circumstances, signatures on the screen could fetch up to 47% of their appearance fee for the tax office.
- In Australia, however, the initial tax liability sits with the foreign authority. The UK can only claim back a portion of that as a credit, often letting the net UK tax amount drop to zero.
Robert apologises for the banking system’s benefit: “It might feel unfair, but it’s designed to avoid double‑taxation for global workers, including TV stars.”
Takeaway
Let’s hope the next season keeps its plot twists in the UK; otherwise, HMRC might just keep looking at those blank ledgers while the celebrities enjoy the sunshine.
