TAX-FIDDLE TV STARS FACE REVENUE PROBE

TOP TV and radio stars are being investigated on suspicion of dodging income tax on extra earnings.

Revenue inspectors believe some broadcasting personalities declare only a small percentage of the thousands of pounds they pocket for public appearances.

The probe was ordered after allegations by a major festival organiser that stars were demanding about a quarter of their fee by cheque ...and the rest in cash.

A Revenue Office source said "It's alleged that certain radio and TV people who charge a few thousand pounds for an appearance ask for a cheque for about pounds 1,000 and an under-the-counter cash payment of maybe pounds 3,000."

Household names like Gay Byrne and Pat Kenny are NOT involved, according to revenue sources.

An official said: "We're told the practise is fairly widespread, but we are pretty sure the most famous of our TV performers are not among the dodgers.

"People like that are very particular about their tax affairs and hire accountants to make sure everything is in order."

Teams of tax investigators will call on festival and concert organisers over coming weeks to check their accounts.

Shop owners and factory bosses who engaged personalities for opening ceremonies during the past five years will also be asked how much they paid for their services.

And payments to stars for after- dinner speeches at golf and football club functions will be closely scrutinised.

Several popular presenters on TV and radio are believed to almost double their regular income by making personal appearances. And many radio DJs also get fat pickings for presiding at discos around the country.

But tax officials stressed they were satisfied many of them made no secret of their outside earnings and declared them for tax.

An inspector said: "We're not branding them all cheats - far from it. But there have been complaints and we must investigate.

"Our preliminary inquiries seem to point to a fair amount of abuse and we are now in the process of digging up the evidence. It will probably take a few months to complete our work."

Entertainers found to have dodged tax payments will face massive fines, back payments and hefty interest penalties.

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