ICC World Cup 2023: BCCI-ICC Tax Row: BCCI is in troubled waters over World Cup 2023. The Indian board is fighting on two fronts simultaneously. While Pakistan Cricket Board is attacking BCCI at the ICC, the Indian board is fighting over tax issues with the government of India. The ICC has directed BCCI to solve the taxation. If they cannot, the ICC could move the WC out of India. Follow WC 2023 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
The last time India hosted the T20 World Cup in 2016, BCCI failed to resolve the tax issue. ICC ended up deducting Rs 190 crore from BCCI’s annual share. This time, the ICC has raised the tax bill to 21.84% or $116m (Rs 900 Crore). If BCCI can’t convince Indian government of a tax rebate for the World Cup 2023, the board could end up losing Rs 900 Cr.
“It’s BCCI’s money. If the ICC can’t settle this issue before the World Cup arrives and end up deducting it from India’s revenue share from the ICC, even this will end up in a legal battle,” News18 quoted sources.
ICC World Cup 2023: BCCI in troubled waters, ICC could shift 50-over World Cup 2023 out of India, Check WHY?
As per ICC’s policy, the host nation has to arrange tax concessions from their respective governments. The BCCI, however, hasn’t done anything in this regard to convince the government. Instead, the BCCI has appealed to ICC’s tribunal as the world body deducted the amount from BCCI’s share of the revenue.
For T20 WC 2016, the ICC procured a 10.3% tax benefit from Indian tax authorities. The ICC has once again managed to procure interim tax rebates from the Indian government. And like the last time, it is likely that the ICC would charge BCCI for that. Thus, the BCCI is once again set to battle the ICC at the court.
Despite granting ICC an interim concession, the government of India will be reluctant to grant a full rebate. The reason is cricket is the only money-making sport in India. The government would not want the citizens to bear the cost of that sport too.
“What will the government tell its tax-paying citizens? That the only sport in this country that earns money will be exempt of taxes? How well will that sit? There’s no way the government will say anything on this,” sources told News18.
ICC vs BCCI: World Cup 2023 to be moved out of India?
- BCCI and ICC are at loggerheads on the tax exemption issue.
- ICC rules dictate that the host nation should arrange concessions from the government.
- In 2016, ICC deducted Rs 190 crore from BCCI’s revenue share.
- As for 2023, the expected tax bill is a whopping Rs 900 crore.
- The Indian government has not changed its stance on the exemption and have no interest in offering one.
- As for the BCCI, they are in open rebellion and will battle the ICC in court.
- PCB meanwhile has further applied pressure by threatening to boycott the tournament.
Furthermore, PCB is putting pressure on the ICC due to strained diplomatic ties. Even though BCCI holds a lot of sway over the ICC, if Pakistan actually pulls off a boycott of World Cup 2023, it will be humiliation for both the ICC and BCCI. ICC will be the biggest loser as it will lose its cash cow India vs Pakistan match.
“Our position is blunt that, if they come, then we will go to the World Cup, if they do not come then let them do it. Let them play without Pakistan. If Pakistan does not participate in the World Cup scheduled in India next year, who will see it?” PCB chief Ramiz Raja had said.
ICC World Cup 2023: BCCI in troubled waters, ICC could shift 50-over World Cup 2023 out of India, Check WHY?
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