UK Tax | Decathlon

This document was drawn up as a result of Legislation in Finance Act 2016 Schedule 19, introducing the requirement for qualifying groups to publish their UK tax strategy. It is drawn up for the 2022 period from 1st January to 31st December.

Decathlon Group UK is committed to comply with all applicable tax laws in the UK as a responsible taxpayer.

We recognised that taxation matters are often significant in a corporate transaction, and therefore a key objective of our strategy, is to ensure that tax affairs of the Group are in good order and uncertainties are minimised.

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Risk Management and Risk Appetite

Decathlon Group’s appetite towards risk is primarily governed by the aim of retaining a low-risk rating from HMRC. When evaluating a taxation matter, consideration will be given to the level of risk, the ease of implementation and consideration of any tax reliefs or opportunities available to us that are clearly within the legislation and related HMRC guidance.

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Attitude to tax planning

We do not engage in artificial tax arrangements without business or commercial substance. We make the best use of reliefs and allowances available, but also ensure we pay our fair share of taxes to the UK government (HMRC). Where relevant, the Group utilises legitimate tax incentives and reliefs offered by government bodies. We focus on delivering accurate tax returns and determining the correct tax treatment across all of our business transactions, to ensure we pay the right amount of tax at the right time, in accordance with the UK tax laws.


Approach to tax risk and internal governance

The Board has overall responsibility and accountability for tax and adherence with our tax principles

We maintain internal competence in corporate and transactional taxes to ensure company corporate tax returns are properly prepared and indirect and payroll taxes are properly accounted for and reported, whilst tax guidance and advice is obtained from external tax advisors as appropriate. Reliance is placed on external advisors for advice relating to tax in the context of commercial transactions, updates and interpretations of tax legislation. Compliance is the responsibility of the business but will be monitored where appropriate by local external tax advisors.

The UK and International Finance teams are responsible for the maintenance of an appropriate tax control framework and a register of tax risks is maintained and updated to the internal risk management system.

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Approach to dealings with HMRC
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We adopt a collaborative approach to our interactions with HMRC including in relation to considering current, future and retrospective tax risks, events and interpretation of laws across all relevant taxes and duties. We aim to work with HMRC in real time where possible.

This Statement is approved by Decathlon CFO.