Beckham among celebrities set to get multi-mln pound tax demands

Former England football team captain David Beckham is reportedly among the celebrities set to receive multi-million pound tax demands over film finance programs.

The former Manchester United midfielder could reportedly get a letter from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) after investing in potential tax avoidance projects. Former England cricket captain David Gower has also invested in the scheme.

HMRC is thought to have been sending out letters to investors in film finance programs, which demand payment by December, The Daily Star reported.

The schemes are still being disputed with a judgment on whether they dodge tax due in November. Thousands of celebrities have put 2 billion pounds into film production and then used the investment to slash their tax bills.

Ingenious, which runs the schemes, has claimed that they are legal and allow investors to instead postpone paying tax.

A spokesman for Beckham said that the retired footballer had not received a letter but added the star always paid his taxes in full. Meanwhile, Gower said that he has not received such a notice.

Ingenious said that their film partnerships are not tax avoidance schemes, adding that they are commercial production partnerships which have produced scores of successful films.