For those thinking BCCI does not pay Income tax, here is the myth buster

July 24, 2024

It is a known fact that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the richest cricket board in the world. Since the rise of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the BCCI earns crores of rupees every year. They earn the highest chunk of revenue from the ICC as well, making them one of the most powerful cricket boards in the world. It was just announced that they would earn $230 million (Rs. 1905 Crore) annually for the 2024-27 ICC Cycle.

Most people think the BCCI doesn’t pay taxes. Although it is registered as a charitable trust, the Indian cricket board has regularly paid taxes for a long time. Recently in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State of Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary revealed that the BCCI just paid a whopping Rs. 1159 Crores as income tax in FY 2021-22.

Pankaj Chaudhary gave the BCCI’s financial details for the past five FYs as a written reply to a question. It further revealed that BCCI had earned a revenue of Rs. 7606 Crore and had an expenditure of Rs. 3080 Crore. The BCCI paid 844.92 Crore as tax in FY 2020-21, Rs. 882.29 Crore in FY 2019-20, Rs. 815.08 crore in FY 18-19, and Rs. 596.93 crore in FY 2017-18.

Also Read: “Uncomfortable and unfair,” ex-India batter is against BCCI’s “cooling-off” period for retired cricketers

Fans perplexed to see BCCI’s Income tax numbers, also take a jibe at India’s apex cricketing body

Now for those wondering about how BCCI, despite being a Charitable Trust, pays taxes; well, they are exempted from paying taxes, but that is only if they fulfill a certain condition imposed under the Income Tax Act, of 1961. Whenever their receipts cross a certain threshold, they have to pay taxes for that Financial Year and as BCCI crosses that threshold almost every year, it has to pay taxes.

Nevertheless, as these numbers were made public, netizens were left rubbing their eyes. Check out the reactions of netizens on X and what they have to say after finding out how much BCCI Income Tax BCCI pay.

Still stadiums will be unworthy of visiting, chairs will be so uncomfortable that you wouldn't mind standing throughout the match and at last you feel isse acha toh Hotstar pr dekh leta

— Anuj Mishra (@anujmishra003) August 8, 2023

All the money in the world, but don’t have the class to host a WC properly without chaos, 2 months left and an uncertain schedule and god knows what’s happening with the tickets. @BCCI

— Rahul Varma (@urscoolrahul) August 8, 2023

Then why were so many people mocking BCCI for not paying taxes?

— Yash Lahoti (@YvLahoti) August 8, 2023

Call out all those Fin-influencers who were saying BCCI doesn't pay tax

— South Asia on Map (@SouthAsiaOnMap) August 9, 2023

No official update on ticket sales yet for World Cup. Media & Sponsors will be easily getting accreditation cards and will watch the match free without any charge but what about the General Public?

— DAMANPREET SINGH (@dilmilsingh) August 9, 2023

I want BCCI (IPL specifically) to fall under entertainment category, they get such huge deals, might as well pay higher taxes.

— Atharv Lad (@atharv_lad) August 9, 2023

Never knew BCCI's performance is measured by their financial returns and not by the on-ground cricketing performance.
When priority changes so is the performance.
Time to focus on the player's well-being and the performance.

— Dr.KKR (@drkkr) August 9, 2023

It does not matter how much BCCI earns or how much it pays a tax, fans just want the cricket ecosystem in the country to run smoothly. For example a free-flowing experience for fans who want to watch matches from the stadium, which can be done by making e-tickets eligible for entry at stadiums across the country.