Former Premier League star Dean Windass says he is not a tax dodger after claims he avoided paying £164,000
DEAN WINDASS has today vowed to fight authorities "to the very end" over claims he avoided paying £164,000 in taxes.
It was revealed earlier this week the former star was the subject of a preliminary Bankruptcy Court hearing in London for the debt.
Ex-Hull City star Windass, 47, along with a host of other sport stars, was involved with three companies which allegedly exploited a legal loophole in the tax code.
But the former striker has maintained his innocence. He said: "I am not a tax avoider. And I will fight this to the very end. I have paid 40 per cent tax all my life and I haven't benefited at all from this scheme.
Former Bradford striker Windass did confirm he invested the six-figure sum into Ingenious Film Partners, Inside Track Productions and Chrome Film Partner 1 Ltd when a player at Middlesbrough in 2001.
All three companies were set up in response to a new law that was introduced to give tax breaks to companies investing in British films stimulate the industry.
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Movies such as Life of Pi and Avatar did benefit from the tax break, but HMRC claimed the schemes were not legitimate investment vehicles, but rather a way of avoiding tax.
The loophole has now been outlawed and HMRC is now trying to reclaim taxes where the tax break was inappropriately abused - but not after over £75billion was allegedly invested by celebrities trying to avoid tax.
Sporting names include the likes of Gary Lineker, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, David Beckham and Roy Hodgson, along with other celebrities such as Bob Geldof, Davina McCall and Ant and Dec.
As well as the three companies, HMRC is also pursuing individual investors such as Windass, who confirmed he does not know if his case will be resolved, but insists it is a sad episode in his life and he regrets it hugely.
He added: "I don't think I've done anything wrong, but I do regret ever getting involved in the scheme.
"My financial adviser told me I would get a tax rebate in 2017 so I thought it was a good idea, but that doesn't make me a tax avoider because I have never benefited a penny.
"I'm still earning an honest living and I'm trying to lead a decent life. I'm the ambassador for Hull City and I'm planning on getting married again next year so I just want this dark cloud over my life to pass so I can get on with it."
Windass is best remembered for his wonder goal in the Championship play off final at Wembley in 2008 thus cementing his place in Hull City's history books - and he will have another hearing with tax authorities in December.