Hearts sweat as HMRC tax bill goes unpaid

Alan Marshall

12 Jun 2013 08:07

THE Tynecastle side had until 5pm yesterday to settle a £100,000 bill but missed the deadline and could be served with a winding-up order.
"It is understood the club’s failure to clear the tax bill stems from a lower than expected season-ticket uptake so far this summer" "It is understood the club’s failure to clear the tax bill stems from a lower than expected season-ticket uptake so far this summer"
SNS

HEARTS were last night anxiously waiting to find out if they will still be served with a winding-up order after failing to clear a £100,000 tax bill.

The Gorgie outfit had until 5pm yesterday to stump up the overdue PAYE liability to HMRC or face the prospect of enforced liquidation.

It is understood the Tynecastle club found enough money to clear “the majority” of the liability but an unspecified amount is still outstanding.

Club sources said they are confident of clearing the remainder “in the near future” but it remains to be seen if yesterday’s payment will keep HMRC at bay.

Sources at the tax authority suggested they would not be “banging down the door” of the court today to go ahead with the winding-up order.

If they do, it is likely Hearts will still have another 12 days to clear the rest of the debt to prevent them being put out of business.

It is understood the club’s failure to clear the tax bill stems from a lower than expected season-ticket uptake so far this summer.

And the Jambos now face the issue of meeting their players’ monthly wages on Monday in the meantime.

Despite ongoing concerns, Edinburgh MP Ian Murray, the independent chair of the fans’ group bidding to buy Hearts, last night urged supporters to continue backing the Gorgie outfit.

He said: “The short-term financial viability of Hearts is as important as the long-term ownership issue.”

Taken from the Daily Record