Agassi不畏英國高額稅賦 - 網球

Agassi undaunted by British tax ruling

By KEN PETERS, AP Sports Writer
March 19, 2004

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) -- Andre Agassi isn't overly concerned about a
British court ruling that will cost him some $50,000 in taxes there on
endorsement earnings.

``At the end of the day, it's nearly a dollar-per-dollar wash on the taxes
you have to pay here (in the United States),'' Agassi said Thursday night
after defeating Guillermo Coria 6-4, 7-5 to reach the Pacific Life Open
semifinals.

``You're paying taxes there or you're paying taxes here. I don't really
begrudge them for it; no financial cost to me,'' he said.

The ruling could affect other athletes such as Tiger Woods, the Williams
sisters and other stars who play in Britain.

Judge Sir Gavin Lightman of the London High Court on Wednesday ordered
Agassi to pay taxes on income paid by Nike and Head Sports to his U.S.-
based company, Agassi Enterprises Inc.

Turning down an appeal filed by Agassi's firm, the court ruled that any
athlete or entertainer who competes or performs in Britain has a liability
to pay a prorated tax on endorsement income. Athletes already pay tax on
prize money.

Paying taxes on endorsement earnings there, however, will be offset by a
foreign tax credit that will lower the tax bill in the United States.

``What they're saying is, when I perform over there in England, because
I'm wearing Nike, I play with Head products, that these are revenue sources
for me,'' said Agassi, who has played Wimbledon 13 times and was the 1992
champion.

``In England, I'm going to get a lot of TV time, it's Wimbledon, and they
deserve a percentage of what my contracts are with Nike and with Head. When
I'm there for two weeks, they prorate it and figure it's worth about $50,000.
I'd be paying that one place or the other.''

He said he couldn't imagine it being much of an issue, and that it certainly
won't stop him from playing in England.

``They're probably looking for somebody more like Tiger Woods (who has more
endorsements) than me. It's a precedent they feel they need to set. It's not
going to stop me from going back there to play,'' Agassi said.

``There's a lot I enjoy about England.''

Agassi's lawyers had appealed a tax demand for the 1998-99 tax year.

Lightman, however, agreed that the tennis star was liable for tax on income
connected to his activities in Britain, even if the paying and receiving
companies had no tax presence there.



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