Hero to Zero (Mo Farah content)?

[TDIPLC]

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/olympic-hero-mo-farah-app...

Somalian born "British" CBE holder doesn't seem to like paying UK taxes.

What dop you think?

[HonestIago]

TDIPLC said:

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/olympic-hero-mo-farah-app...

Somalian born "British" CBE holder doesn't seem to like paying UK taxes.

What dop you think?

This WILL upset the BBC!

After all he is their poster boy for the resounding success of multiculturalism, diversity and enrichment provided by Muslims from the third world etc etc.

[Parsnip]

If he doesn't live here, he shouldn't be paying tax here? Easy to understand I would have thought.

No different that plenty of British F1 drivers live in Monaco.

[jogon]

As long as he no longer receives any more funding from British Olympic team than I haven't got a problem. Paula Radcliffe has been enjoying tax free status in Monaco for years while still receiving her funding. Despicable women.

[Silent1]

Is It morally wrong, probably.
If I was in his position would i do the same definitely, but I do think there should be a residency requirement for uk athletes receiving funding.
As another thought, won't he be paying tax in the us?

[Watchman]

I think the whole concept of nationality is becoming anachronistic if we accepted him as British in the first place. Don't misunderstand me, I have no problem with it other than to ask whether nationality should be judged on criteria other place of birth (as it seems to be).

My Polish-born wife is a naturalised Brit, and we have 2 British children so she has permanent ties to this country now (and she has lived over 1/4 of her life here since moving here in 2000) but she identifies herself as Polish more than British despite paying considerable taxes here.

In Mo's case I think he will be criticised for having taken advantage of this country only to up-and-leave as soon as any payback might be due. I think it's more complicated than this personally but I can see the way the pack-mentality will take this.

[Terminator X]

Shocking that he's looking to reduce his tax bill by legitimate means?

TX.

[Murph7355]

I think that as long as he's operating within the law he should be left alone and not have his private tax affairs daubed over the press for ill informed comment to ensue in an effort to stoke people up.

As far as I was aware, funding for athletes doesn't come from taxpayer coffers either. So that'd be moot too.

[FourWheelDrift]

And it's not as if he's just moved there.

[Bill]

FourWheelDrift said:

And it's not as if he's just moved there.

And he moved to be near his coach. If he's there that much the US probably expect him to pay tax there. If it was just about the tax there are far better places to move to.

[obob]

He does actually live and train out there as far as I can remember so don't see a problem.

[bigandclever]

Bill said:

FourWheelDrift said:

And it's not as if he's just moved there.

And he moved to be near his coach. If he's there that much the US probably expect him to pay tax there. If it was just about the tax there are far better places to move to.

It's such a non-story.

[anonymous-user]

All it means is he is UK non-resident, it's not exactly difficult.

http://www.kpmg.com/UK/en/IssuesAndInsights/Articl...

[BoRED S2upid]

I would have thought with all the travel for competitions all these sports stars could avoid tax by not being resident in any country just keep moving!

Should have an impact on any funding he receives though surly if your a millionaire you don't need finding that should go to future stars.

[TDIPLC]

Considering that he's availed himself of UK tax payers money since the age of 8n and the he's accepted the CBE, perhaps it's a little ungrateful?

[Bill]

TDIPLC said:

Considering that he's availed himself of UK tax payers money since the age of 8n and the he's accepted the CBE, perhaps it's a little ungrateful?

Given the sponsorship deals since the Olympics I'd be very surprised if he hasn't already paid vastly more in tax than he has or will ever "availed" himself of. So does that mean we should pay him back?

[P-Jay]

Judging by his twitter feed he lives abroad and hardly ever visits the UK and it's not for tax purposes so I think it's unfair to call him a Tax exile, more of a 'weather better suited to long-distance running training exile'

[Parsnip]

TDIPLC said:

Considering that he's availed himself of UK tax payers money since the age of 8n and the he's accepted the CBE, perhaps it's a little ungrateful?

So should he move back to Britain, where he won't be near his coach and his performance may suffer? Should he offer to pay tax he doesn't need to? What would make him seem grateful in your eyes?

Should everyone who lives abroad have to pay a maintenance fee on their awards from queenie?

[Corpulent Tosser]

bigandclever said:

Bill said:

FourWheelDrift said:

And it's not as if he's just moved there.

And he moved to be near his coach. If he's there that much the US probably expect him to pay tax there. If it was just about the tax there are far better places to move to.

It's such a non-story.

Man moves to US to further his career (better training facilities/coaches)
Man moves to US to reduce his tax burden.

I can't see a problem with either, bloody sensible IMO.

As for funding if he is repreenting britain and entitled to funding then legally he is doing nothing wrong, though if he doesn't need it then morally there may be an issue.

Agreed though - Non Story.

[ewenm]

TDIPLC said:

Considering that he's availed himself of UK tax payers money since the age of 8n and the he's accepted the CBE, perhaps it's a little ungrateful?

I'm not sure how he'd go about paying UK tax if he's not a UK resident at the moment. Is there a voluntary payment field in the tax return? Would he be able to offset that voluntary payment against his US tax return? He only moved to the US a few years ago, so up until then he'll have been paying UK tax.

I don't understand why people berate the person following the rules rather than the people making the rules (assuming you don't agree with the rules).

Oh, and it is Farah - single r. It's not difficult to spell his name correctly.

Edited by ewenm on Monday 20th January 14:30