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Reports: Messi Settles Spanish Tax Case

Reports are swirling that soccer uber-star Lionel Messi has settled his case with the Spanish tax Authorities.  Messi reportedly paid €10 million to Spanish Authorities for the 2010 and 2011 tax years earlier in the week.  The settlement is said to for an additional €15 million for the tax years of 2007-2009, and another €5 million for 2012.  For those who can’t do math (ie Messi’s accountants) this brings Messi’s unpaid tax bill to a staggering €30 million.

The original criminal complaint against Messi and his father was for €4 million in unpaid taxes.  The complaint was a criminal one for tax fraud, and if found guilty Messi and his father could have faced fines of 150% of total earnings and 2 to 6 years in prison.  Settling this case on a voluntary basis obviously has big benefits for the star player.

The unpaid taxes seem to come from Messi selling his image rights fees outside of Spain.  Shell companies to collect the taxes were set up and revenues collected.  Messi still insists that he did not knowingly do anything wrong, and looking at what is going on here, its easy to see how a highly paid athlete like Messi could put his finances in the hands of his advisors and not see that their tax scheme was not according to Spanish law.

Messi is due back in Court on September 17th, however if the reports are true, he may never have to attend that date.

Messi is one of the best, and most high profile footy stars in the world. Messi is reported to be earning €16 million Euros from Barcelona in 2013, and that is before his various endorsements, and other activities.

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Main photo credit: boldorak2208 via photopin cc

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