Soccer Star Will Have to Go to Trial for Alleged Tax Evasion
The ongoing tax saga of soccer star Lionel Messi will continue. That news comes after a judge in Spain ruled that the Barcelona FC star would indeed have to stand trial for tax fraud charges in association with his many endorsement deals with foreign companies. The news comes just days after a report stated that Mr. Messi would not have to go to trial, and that only his father would face the courtroom.
Not So Fast
However, the Spanish judge ruled otherwise and said that Mr. Messi and his father should both have to go to trial. Even though his lawyers argued that Mr. Messi did not have any hands-on dealings with his endorsement contracts, the judge ruled that he “couldn’t have ignored” that a large part of his revenue was coming from foreign companies. If he is convicted, the soccer star could receive a sentence for as long as 22 months.
No Jail Time Likely
However, the good news for Mr. Messi is that even if he is found guilty of the charges he will most likely not spend any time behind bars. That’s because sentences for financial crimes shorter than two years are typically suspended according to Spanish law. In addition, Mr. Messi and his father have reportedly either already paid, or have agreed to pay, the missing tax money, plus interest.
Are You An Accounting Nerd?
Are You An Accounting Nerd? By William Brighenti There are varying degrees of accounting nerdiness. Some accounting nerds live normal lives, marry and, according to Kinsley, even propagate. Some never marry since everyone they ever dated lapsed into comas, never to be heard from again. Others are complete introverts and should never have left the…
Why not a CPA as President?
Why not a CPA as President? By William Brighenti With the economy the most central issue, why not elect a CPA as President? A recent poll showed that 47% of our fellow citizens thought that the economy was the central issue of our country. So we elect lawyers to manage and direct our economy? Why…
Business Income insurance
Business Income insurance Business Income Insurance – Often Misunderstood; Things to Think About By R. Scott Wolf Business Income Insurance is probably one of the least understood components of an insurance program, yet it is probably one of the most important. It is akin to what disability insurance does for us personally should we become…
Business Sales Tax
Business Sales Tax Sale of a Business – Sales Tax Impact Buying and selling a business can be structured to be tax-free from the standpoint of federal income taxes through the merger and other reorganization provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. However, a tax-free transaction from a federal standpoint may not be tax-free for State…