Andrés Iniesta Addresses Tax Controversy In Japan

Spanish football legend Andrés Iniesta has found himself amid a tax controversy in Japan. Reports have surfaced regarding inconsistencies in his tax returns during his time playing for Vissel Kobe, shedding light on a complex situation involving tax residency and_ obligations.

In a statement addressing the issue, Iniesta clarified the circumstances surrounding the tax investigation he is currently facing in Japan. He explained that the matter revolves around his tax residency in 2018 when he moved to Japan after joining Vissel Kobe.

Despite filing his 2018 taxes in Spain, following local regulations Japanese authorities inspected in 2021 and_ 2022, determining that he was a tax resident for part of 2018.

Iniesta confirmed that he settled the debt resulting from this inspection and initiated the “friendly procedure outlined in the Double Taxation Agreement between Spain and_ Japan” to address potential double taxation issues.

Iniesta emphasized the importance of “respect and_ caution” regarding the published information, showing his commitment to complying with the law. The situation also involves two other foreign footballers playing in Japan, Kim Jin-hyeon and_ Anderson Patric Aguiar Oliveira, who are facing similar challenges related to their tax declarations.

According to reports from NHK, the Osaka Regional Tax Office found that Iniesta failed to declare approximately ¥860 million (€5.2 million) from his earnings at Vissel Kobe, where he played from July 2018 to the same month in the following year. Japanese authorities assert that Iniesta was considered a resident of Japan for tax purposes during that period as he was settled in Kobe with his family serving as a cultural ambassador.

The total undeclared sum across the three footballers, including Iniesta, amounts to ¥2.1 billion (€12.7 million). The tax controversy shows the complexities of international tax obligations for professional athletes, especially when navigating residency rules in multiple countries.