And finally… no tax break for backgammon tycoon

JP McManus claimed that paying a small amount of ‘domicile levy’ in Ireland exempts him from $5.2m of tax taken by US authorities, The Guardian reported.

The Internal Revenue Society argued that because the Irish businessman is permanently resident in Switzerland and he “was not deemed a resident of Ireland for tax purposes” and is therefore liable for fiscal duties in the U.S.

McManus started court proceedings after $5.2m in taxes was taken from his winnings in a 3 day game of backgammon against US private equity billionaire.

McManus was asked to produce details about the three-day gambling stint but the Irishman’s lawyers have said that: “ does not remember the number of games or the amounts wagered per game.

“The wager was on the basis of points and the amounts to be wagered were altered during the competition at the request of the losing party. Several people came and went during the game serving food and beverages.”

McManus is said to travel everywhere with a portable backgammon set which he will produce at a moment’s notice should he find a willing competitor.

Those who know McManus well are convinced that he will not easily give up his claim to recover the tax.

A friend said: “JP is not the kind of guy to roll over and say: ‘Oh, forget about it.’ Don’t forget JP started with virtually nothing. His fortune stems from a £4 bet made when he was 20 in 1970.”