TV presenter Miquita Oliver faces bankruptcy due to £174k unpaid tax bill
By
Tara Evans
Former T4 presenter Miquita Oliver is facing bankruptcy after failing to pay a tax bill of more than £174,000, according to a firm of accountants.
A statement from the firm, Baker Tilly confirmed that the HM Revenue and Customs had petitioned for the star to be declared bankrupt due to unpaid taxes on 11 November last year.
The 27-year-old is perhaps best known for presenting Popworld with Simon Amstell in the early part of the last decade.
Facing bankruptcy: The TV presenter Miquita Oliver was a bridesmaid at childhood friend Lily Allen's wedding last year.
She left the Channel 4 show in 2006 but continued to present on T4 and has also hosted shows on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra.
She also went on to work on the 4Music channel and was a bridesmaid at the wedding of childhood friend Lily Allen last year.
Her publicist said: 'We can confirm that Miquita Oliver filed for bankruptcy in November 2011. She has many projects in the pipeline both here and in the US for 2012.'
Baker Tilly’s Geoff Carton-Kelly has been appointed trustee of the TV star’s affairs. He said: 'Investigating and recovering assets for the benefits of creditors is the primary role of the Trustee in Bankruptcy. At this stage it is too early to comment on the level of Miss Oliver’s assets and the likely return to creditors.'
Oliver isn't the only celebrity to experience money troubles, showing how high earnings do not always mean lasting wealth.
In November last year, former popstar and reality TV star Kerry Katona finally cleared her debts after being declared bankrupt in 2008.
She was able to settle her debts, which once stood at £417,000 after receiving a £350,000 fee for appearing on celebrity Big Brother.
Katona was declared bankrupt despite reportedly earning £75,000 a year as the face of supermarket chain Iceland and £400,000 a year as a columnist for OK! Magazine.
In August 2009, Men Behaving Badly star Neil Morrissey announced that he would be not filing for bankruptcy after he lost £2.5million after investing in a string of hotels and pubs. Instead, Morrissey took an IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement) which meant he would pay his creditors back.
He told the News of the World: 'People advise you to take the easy route - it'll only last a year and you'll be back up and running. But I just thought there are too many good people who've lost their money on these deals, and I wanted to repay them as much as I possibly could. I feel morally obliged. Afterwards I'll feel better about myself.
Duchess of York, Sarah 'Fergie' Ferguson was reportedly saved from the brink of bankruptcy after racking up debts of nearly £5million. She said last year that her former husband Prince Andrew has helped her sort out her finances in an interview with Hello! Magazine in July last year.
What does bankruptcy mean?
Bankruptcy means that your assets are sold and the money is used to pay your creditors as much as possible.
If you are made bankrupt you will not be able to:
- Use your bank or building society account or credit card [You get a basic bank account instead]
- Obtain credit for over £500
- Trade in any business under any other name
- Promote, form or manage a limited company
- Be the trustee of a charity or pension fun.
If things get too much...
Then you should speak to someone immediately. If you feel that you can't repay your loan or keep up with your credit card payments then contact your credit-provider, they will be able to set up a repayment structure for you.
If it is more serious, like you can't afford your rent or mortgage payments or have an unpaid tax-bill, then there are resources that provide free independent advice.
Free debt advice is available from Citizens Advice, National Debtline, CCCS or the Money Advice Trust.
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Sorry but she must have earned it to have accumulated this debt. Where was her accountant?? Serves her right fot not putting money away to cover tax and insurance when she was earning the big bucks. No sympathy here.
- julie, essex, 02/3/2012 16:06
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