The Spanish Tax Agency has been “tightening the noose” in recent years, and the Espargaró brothers have reportedly been targeted by the authorities… who are demanding payments from both MotoGP riders.
The two moved to Andorra a few years ago, like many Spanish public figures. However, for some time they may have had tax residence in Spain despite living in the Principality, and have been unsuccessfully notified several times. It is worth noting that Andorra also requires residents to pay taxes.
The newspaper El Periódico writes that regarding Aleix Espargaró, the Regional Economic Administrative Court of Catalonia has decided that he owes 586,590 euros. The debts and sanctions are related to the IRS. The Aprilia rider defended his position: ‘It is obvious that debates arise, although more moral than legal, because I am not doing anything illegal. People may not believe it, but taxes are also paid in Andorra and I pay them where I live‘.
In the case of Pol Espargaró, the amounts involved are not disclosed, but his lawyers will take the matter to the National Court. His lawyers told the aforementioned newspaper: ‘The current dispute with the Tax Agency is based on technical tax issues. We disagree with the position taken by the Tax Authority, and that is why we have already appealed‘.
Aleix and Pol Espargaró are not the first riders to be investigated for tax issues. The same happened with Dani Pedrosa or Jorge Lorenzo in the past.
