Newcastle United’s attempt to get HMRC to stop keeping materials taken in the St. James’ Park tax investigation raid fails in the High Court.
Newcastle United’s attempt to get HMRC to stop keeping materials taken in the St. James’ Park tax investigation raid fails in the High Court.
Following an investigation into its tax affairs, the club had applied to the High Court for the return of digital material held by HM Revenue and Customs.
In an attempt to stop HM Revenue and Customs from keeping items taken during a raid at St James’ Park, Newcastle United has lost in court.
As a part of an investigation into the club’s tax affairs, a large number of HMRC officers raided offices at the stadium in April 2017, seizing computers and documents.
In May 2021, the criminal investigation was closed.
According to a High Court ruling that was made public on Wednesday, HMRC informed the club that there had been “tax non-compliance of a serious nature” and that a civil investigation would be conducted into the matter.
All hard copy material seized during the raid will be returned, according to HMRC, but digital copies of any material “thought potentially relevant to any tax irregularity and therefore the civil assessment and collection of tax and shared with colleagues responsible for any civil investigation” will be retained.
A judge rejected Newcastle United’s request to return the digital material to Kingston Upon Thames Crown Court two months later.
The football team then filed an appeal with the High Court, requesting the return of the materials. However, the appeal was turned down last month by the court’s senior judges.
The judgment also contains information about previous Newcastle United investigations conducted by HMRC. It describes how it wrote to the club in April 2014 informing them that it was looking into agent fees through a civil investigation.
The club received notices from HMRC in January 2018 regarding purported unpaid VAT of ÂŁ2,034,802 plus interest between February 2011 and October 2016 and unpaid National Insurance of ÂŁ4,250,714.01 plus interest, a court fee, and legal costs after the raids in April 2017.
HMRC stated that while the department was happy with the case’s resolution, it was unable to comment on the status of specific investigations.
“We cannot comment on identifiable taxpayers,” a spokesman stated. We are happy with the appeal hearing’s result, which supports the accuracy of our position.”
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To bolster their ranks, the Magpies have their sights set on a promising teenage attacker.
According to a recent transfer update, Newcastle United is monitoring a forward who is based abroad in anticipation of a possible January transfer.
The current season for Newcastle
The Magpies have started the new season on a generally positive note, winning seven, drawing two, and losing just four of their first 13 games. As a result, they are currently ranked seventh in the Premier League standings.
PIF and Eddie Howe will be evaluating their options in the market to see who they can sign and insert right away into the starting lineup, but they might also be keeping an eye on some younger, brighter prospects who they think could be a good long-term investment for the team.
Riquelme Fillipi, a 17-year-old left winger for Palmeiras who has yet to make his first senior appearance but is a regular fixture of his club’s various youth sides at the Allianz Parque, has been singled out by the St. James’ Park team as a candidate who fits that description (Transfermarkt – Fillipi statistics).
According to the same outlet, the Brazil youth international has less than two years left on his contract. Despite this, the hierarchy is still keen to try and acquire his services and bring him to the northeast during the upcoming transfer window.
PIF focused on Fillipi Riquelme
Bolavip, a Brazilian outlet, reports (via Sport Witness) that Newcastle is considering signing Fillipi before January. He is one of the players who has been put “on their list” of targets by the Magpies, who have allegedly been watching a number of young players from his native country.
The forward’s current club values him at €10 million (ÂŁ8 million), according to earlier reports referenced in the article. Therefore, it is likely that this amount will be needed to convince him to leave Palmeiras.
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