Rob Cross in legal dispute and banned from being a director, fails to pay over £450k in tax

Former World Champion and current World number Nine Rob Cross has been ordered to pay over £450k in taxes after a lengthy investigation discovered the total amount of unpaid taxes. Cross, who is one of Darts' top talents has also been suspended from being a director at his company where his tournament winnings get paid into. He faces a ban until June 2030 as a director and has also entered a Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) to pay off his debts.

The insolvency service has also found that 'Voltage' withdrew more than £300k from Rob Cross Darts Limited between March 2020 and November 2023 when that money should have gone to creditors including HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

As a result of this Cross has entered into an IVA to make regular payments towards his debt. These payments will vary depending on how much he earns from tournament winnings in that timeframe. However it is not expected to be a short term fix with Cross looking likely to have to pay this figure off for both this year and the upcoming years.

Kevin Read, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said "When directors fail to pay the correct amount of tax, it directly impacts the government’s ability to fund vital public services such as the NHS, schools, transport infrastructure and our national defence".

"Rob Cross’s company owed more than £400,000 in corporation tax alone when it went into liquidation".

"For more than three years, he withdrew funds from the company which should have gone to HMRC and other creditors".

"This case demonstrates that we will pursue action against directors who deprive the public purse of much-needed funds".

"The rules apply equally to everyone in business, and we expect all company directors to comply with their legal responsibilities".

"Enforcing these rules consistently is crucial in maintaining a level playing field and preventing companies from gaining an unfair competitive advantage over compliant businesses that properly fulfil their tax obligations".

his company, Rob Cross Darts Limited was formed in May 2017 with Cross himself being appointed as director on the same day. The investigation found that Cross had earned more than £1 million pounds from the start of March 2020 up until its liquidation in 2023, however in the same period Cross withdrew a total of £306,403 which Cross later admitted was “to the risk and ultimate detriment of HMRC”. Another £665,419 was paid into the personal account of a connected party later found on investigation.

At the time of the company going into liquidation, it owed £403,896 in corporation tax, £49,071 in VAT, and £12,436 in PAYE and National Insurance contributions. Over that time period the company had only payed £41,936 between March 2020 and November 2023. Ultimately Cross' director’s loan account was also overdrawn by £423,608 when the company went into liquidation with liabilities of a total £579,805.

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade accepted a disqualification undertaking from Cross, a former electrician and his ban started on June the 5th. Cross now can not be involved with the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court.

Cross was involved in the Premier League of Darts this year and has provided a 9 dart finish which earned him another £30k. As well as this Cross won the Dutch Darts Masters earlier in the year so it doesn't look like this has effected his Darting ability in any way. However over time this could weigh on him negatively and produce frustrating returns.

Cross will be hoping to put this behind him as he takes on Andreas Harrysson in the first round of the Nordic Masters in Copenhagen on June the 6th.