Gary Lineker, a prominent television presenter and former England footballer, has been accused of "gross hypocrisy" after advocating for higher taxes on the wealthy while simultaneously engaging in a protracted legal battle with His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) over a substantial tax bill. Lineker was among over 100 signatories of an open letter urging political leaders to increase taxes for the wealthiest individuals, stating, "We want you to tax us. We can afford it."

However, critics have pointed to Lineker's own tax affairs, including a five-year dispute that concluded in 2023. Court documents indicate that Lineker contested demands from HMRC for £3.62 million in income tax and £1.31 million in National Insurance contributions related to his television presenting work between 2013 and 2018. A tax tribunal ultimately ruled in his favor in 2023.

Further scrutiny has focused on Lineker's past involvement in tax avoidance schemes. Approximately 20 years ago, he reportedly invested at least £100,000 in film financing schemes run by Ingenious Media, which offered significant tax breaks to investors. In 2016, HMRC characterized such schemes as "tax avoidance," citing the use of "artificial losses" to reduce tax liabilities. Lineker has stated that he "coughed up years ago" in relation to these schemes, and while a 2012 tax tribunal found members were only entitled to a third of the claimed tax relief, a 2021 Court of Appeal ruling acknowledged that the partnerships were trading with a view to profit, though HMRC noted the schemes were seen as tax avoidance arrangements.

Additionally, leaked documents from 2017 suggested Lineker may have avoided stamp duty on the sale of a luxury property in Barbados by purchasing it through an offshore firm. While Lineker's spokesperson maintained that all taxes due had been paid, this transaction also drew criticism.

Political figures have voiced strong opinions on the matter. Andrew Griffith, the Conservative shadow business secretary, criticized Lineker's stance, stating, "It beggars belief that he would spend his time on elaborate tax avoidance schemes whilst lecturing others on why they should pay more tax." Robert Jenrick MP, a Reform Treasury spokesman, remarked, "Gary Lineker's hypocrisy is breathtaking. If he wants to pay more tax he could sign a cheque to the Treasury tomorrow. But he won't because he's spent years trying to pay as little tax as possible."

Charlie Dewhirst, a Conservative MP, echoed these sentiments, questioning, "If he is so desperate for everyone else to pay more, why did he bother battling HMRC for five years to save himself millions of pounds in extra tax?"

The open letter signed by Lineker and other "patriotic millionaires" proposed a 2% tax on wealth over £10 million, estimating it could generate £24 billion annually, and suggested reforms to capital gains tax that could raise an additional £12 billion. The signatories emphasized that their proposal targets the wealth of the richest, not the income of those who work for a living.