Tendulkar is an actor, not cricketer... for tax

Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar saved more than two crore rupees (Rs20 million) by declaring that he is not a cricketer but an actor before the income tax tribal on the money he earned from TV commercials.

The star was told to pay Rs2.08 million as tax on Rs5.92 million he earned from different television commercials such as Pepsico, Visa Inc. and ESPN Star Sports during 2001-02 and 2004-05, Indian Today reported on Monday.

The tribunal accepted that he is an artist on the grounds that "he has to use his own skills, imagination and creativity in the commercials", it said.

When asked by income tax officer about his profession, the master blaster submitted his documents stating that “he is a popular model who acts in various commercials for endorsing products of various companies.”

According to India Today, Tendulkar said that the income he derived from 'acting' was categorized in income earned from "business and profession" whereas income from playing cricket was reflected as "income from other sources" since he is a non-professional cricketer.

The income tax tribunal ruled that Tendulkar can claim deduction in tax on his income from modelling as he is an artist.

According to Indian Today, Tendulkar had also claimed deduction of Rs 57,969 towards staff welfare expenses that included expenses incurred on tea and snacks provided to his staff, Rs 50,000 each on account of entertainment expenses and telephone expenses and Rs 1,42,824 on account of car expenses. However, the tribunal dismissed these claims saying that the use of telephone, car and food was for him and his family.