Taxing the spotlight

This episode looks behind the glamour of the Tour de France and explains how professional cyclists navigate tax rules across multiple countries. 

Pete Hackleton sits down with James Taylor to unpack what professional road cyclists really have to manage off the bike, from pay structures and sponsorship deals to the practical realities of global tax compliance.

We talk through the earning landscape, from superstar contracts at the very top of the sport to UCI minimum salary thresholds and the sharp disparity between riders competing side by side. From there, we dig into the big choices that shape a rider’s tax position: employment status versus self-employment, whether certain structures are allowed, and why long-term team contracts can raise the stakes on getting the wording right.

Location is a recurring theme. Riders often choose bases like Andorra or Monaco for training terrain, travel access, and tax regime, but being “resident” somewhere doesn’t stop other countries taxing performance days. We explain how apportionment works and why the UK foreign entertainers' rules can trigger withholding. We also cover why cyclists are unusually well placed to evidence their workdays thanks to team data, bike computers, and training logs.

We finish with rising tax authority scrutiny and the growing conversation around image rights in cycling.

For more Taxing the Spotlight podcasts, head to: https://www.saffery.com/podcasts/

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A football transfer is more than a new contract or a move between clubs—it can completely reshape a player’s UK tax position, often with unexpected consequences.

In this episode, Ross Tracy and Nick Hall join host Pete Hackleton to explore the key tax risks facing footballers and agents when moving into or out of the UK.

They discuss cross-border complexities, from double tax treaties to sponsorships, image rights, and other income, and explain why paying tax overseas (or leaving the UK) doesn’t remove UK reporting obligations.

The episode also covers the new foreign income and gains (FIG) regime (from April 2025) and Overseas Workday Relief (OWR).

Looking ahead to the World Cup 2026, they flag the key considerations for international players, including US withholding taxes and how UK tax relief may apply.

Listen now for a practical guide on navigating tax in the modern football world.

For more Taxing the Spotlight podcasts, head to: https://www.saffery.com/podcasts/

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The UK’s shift to Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is no longer a distant headline; it’s a fixed deadline that will change how affected people and landlords keep records, file, and plan. We bring clarity to this complex rollout, explaining what MTD requires, who’s in scope, and how to avoid the penalties that will catch late filers off guard.
 
We walk through the timeline: mandatory adoption for those with combined self‑employment and UK property income above £50,000 from April 2026, dropping to £30,000 in April 2027, with a proposal to reach £20,000 from 2028. 

We break down the fixed quarter dates, the end‑of‑period statement that replaces the annual return, and why “turnover, not profit” is the threshold test. For sports and entertainment professionals with multiple income strands— eg gigs, endorsements, image rights, and rentals—these rules can bite sooner than expected.

There are some exemptions, and we decode the current list, including some automatic cases and others that require application, plus temporary relief for those using residence and remittance basis pages and recipients of trust income until at least April 2027. 

We tackle the myths, for example that spreadsheets will be simple (bridging can work, but often adds friction and risk) and then we get practical: how to pick HMRC‑compatible software, set up digital records, organise receipts, and build a repeatable quarterly workflow that keeps you compliant without derailing your day job.
 
If your combined income may cross the threshold, now is the moment to take action. We can help you select tools, set them up correctly and ensure you’re meeting your filing obligations. 

Subscribe for more guidance, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review to tell us what you want covered next.

For more Taxing the Spotlight podcasts, head to: https://www.saffery.com/podcasts/

Saffery official website

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Email: [email protected] 

The UK remains a top destination for film and TV production, thanks to attractive incentives, but navigating the tax landscape can be complex for both studios and individuals.

In our latest podcast episode, Pete Hackleton and Kathy Johnson explore the unique tax challenges faced by the film and TV industry, from major studios and production companies to the cast and crew who bring stories to life. 

They cover:

• Available UK film tax relief incentives for studios and production companies,
• Tax implications for non-UK resident cast and crew, including withholding tax obligations,
• Specific rules on payments and perks, from fees and per diems to flights, accommodation, and other benefits, and
• Potential administrative requirements plus practical tips to stay compliant.

If you have any queries on this topic don’t hesitate to get in touch.

We hope you enjoy our podcast, so please rate our channel, subscribe and leave a review.

For more Taxing the Spotlight podcasts, head to: https://www.saffery.com/podcasts/

Saffery official website

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Email: [email protected] 

In this episode, Pete Hackleton is joined by Kathy Johnson and KJ Singh to explore the tax planning and compliance challenges facing artists and bands.

As experts in this field, they explore:

• The key tax and practical areas to be wary of if you’re a UK-based artist/band.
• The issues that can crop-up for non-dom musicians and how we help these clients.
• Our top tips to successfully navigate the various tax challenges and the importance of having a trusted adviser on hand.

Whether you're touring globally or just starting out, this episode gives practical advice for successfully navigating the complexities of the music industry. 

For more Taxing the Spotlight podcasts, head to: https://www.saffery.com/podcasts/

Saffery official website

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Navigating the complex world of tax is one of the greatest challenges facing professional tennis players today. Beyond the physical demands of competing at the highest level, these athletes must manage a labyrinth of tax obligations spanning multiple continents, all while constantly on the move.

Tennis professionals maintain an almost entirely nomadic lifestyle, rarely spending more than a few weeks in any single location. Their annual calendar is a whirlwind tour across the globe —each presenting unique tax implications. 

Successfully dealing with these challenges requires players to be proactive in their planning, have meticulous record-keeping, and receive comprehensive advice. Rather than reacting to tax events after they occur, being organised and having proper planning helps to optimise the tax position before any agreements or contracts are signed. 

Working with advisors who understand the complete global picture provides not just compliance peace of mind, but delivers substantial benefits through effective strategic planning, and that’s where we can help.

For more Taxing the Spotlight podcasts, head to: https://www.saffery.com/podcasts/

Saffery official website

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Email: [email protected] 

We explore the world of motorsport tax with Pete Hackleton, Partner and Head of our Sports & Entertainment Group and also James Taylor, a Director who specialises in working with our motorsport clients. This episode uncovers the complex international challenges racing drivers face and the many tax considerations they must navigate.

From establishing the right business structures to deciding where to base themselves, decisions made early in a driver's career can significantly impact their long-term success. The conversation debunks common misconceptions about lower tax jurisdictions such as Monaco and the associated high living costs.

The podcast also explores how the international tax landscape continues to evolve, highlighting why having appropriate tax planning and advisers in place is crucial.

Please subscribe, rate and review our podcast to join us for more deep dives into the sports and entertainment industry.

Visit www.saffery.com for more information or to contact us with questions about any of the issues covered.

For more Taxing the Spotlight podcasts, head to: https://www.saffery.com/podcasts/

Saffery official website

• Visit saffery.com

Follow Saffery online

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/saffery
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saffery_uk/

Email: [email protected] 

Welcome to Taxing the Spotlight, the podcast that shines a light on the complex world of tax for those in the world of sports and entertainment.

In our inaugural episode, host Pete Hackleton, (and head of the Sports and Entertainment team at Saffery), is joined by Dave Lloyd, a tax senior manager who specialises in football matters, to explore the world of football agent fees and consider the potential tax implications that players and clubs must navigate. 

For more Taxing the Spotlight podcasts, head to: https://www.saffery.com/podcasts/

Saffery official website

• Visit saffery.com

Follow Saffery online

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/saffery
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saffery_uk/

Email: [email protected]