But you're Rolling in it... Adele triggers online backlash after her recent comments on how much she has to pay in tax

By Jenna Good

Last updated at 1:53 AM on 10th June 2011

In her relatively short career, Adele has amassed a fortune of millions.

Her fans praise the  23-year-old’s mature lyrics and considered music.

However, they’re none too impressed by her latest foray into ‘grown-up’ matters – tax.

It seems, the singer – full name Adele Adkins – hadn’t reckoned on HM Revenue and Customs wanting a share in her success. 

Tax gaffe: Adele complained she has to pay 50% tax even though she's making millions from her highly successful singing career

Tax gaffe: Adele complained she has to pay 50% tax even though she's making millions from her highly successful singing career

Adele's comments were made in a recent interview with music magazine Q.

She said: 'I'm mortified to have to pay 50 percent! [While] I use the NHS, I can't use the public transport any more.

 

'Trains are always late, most state schools are s*** and I've gotta give you, like, four million quid - are you having a laugh?

'When I got my tax bill in from 19, I was ready to go and buy a gun and randomly open fire.'

However, judging by the reaction on Twitter, Adele's comments have hit a raw nerve with some fans many of whom will be feeling the pinch from the global economic fallout. 

A user named @Outroversion tweeted: 'God that Adele pop singer is such a moron. Her comments on tax are both ignorant and self-aggrandising. I'm pretty sure it's just her way.'

Success: Adele appeared on Dancing With the Stars in the U.S. where she has clocked up a number one album and single

Success: Adele appeared on Dancing With the Stars in the U.S. where she has clocked up a number one album and single

Adding to the resentment, @nicklibertine also told followers: 'Got my paycheque today. Looking at the amount I take home after tax and national insurance is just depressing. F*** you, Adele.'

Another Twitter user, raymondonia, commented: 'Adele i dont care if your rolling in the F-ing deep. Pay you tax and stop moaning. Wish i were paying 50%.'

And the backlash continued when one of Adele's songs was played on a BBC1 show about impoverished children, named Poor Kids.

Twitter user ObligedtoOffend noted: 'Playing adele who resents paying tax on show about child poverty. Appropriate.'

Some fans, however, were supportive of her views.

One argued: ‘Yes, she’s earned a lot of money, but she’s worked hard for it. Pretty sure most people who had to give up 50% of their fruits of labour would be just as annoyed.

‘I know I would’.

The singer will be expecting an even heftier tax bill when she picks up the royalties from her next album 21.

Her top-selling LP has sold more than 1,900,000 copies in the U.S. alone since its release earlier this year.

And, according to the Sunday Times, is worth an estimated £6m.

Her second album, 21, held on to the number one chart slot in the UK for a record-breaking 13 weeks while earlier this year she also became only the second ever artist to have two albums and two singles in the top five at the same time.

The Sunday Times placed Adele at number nine, the highest new entry, in its list of the richest young music stars. Her company Melted Stone showed £780,000 profit on £1.2m sales in 2008-9.

Adele isn’t the first star to complain about tax.

U2 were criticised for shifting their business interests out of Ireland to cut down on their bill.

The Beatles also famously devoted an entire song –  Taxman – to the subject as a protest at their tax contributions.

 

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

I think she's suggesting that 4m is a lot of money and she's not impressed with how it's being spent - i.e. that state schools are s***. I feel the same, I pay taxes, student loan, NI etc and recently had to use the NHS and was handed a 6 week waiting period for a further assesment and then 2 weeks later the operation. Sometimes it's annoying to pay for something that doesn't work the way you'd like it or need it to.

Click to rate     Rating   78

Think yourself lucky Adele, the Beatles only got 2.5p in the pound (sixpence) in the sixties. The rest was taken in tax; 97.5p (19shillings and 6 pence).

Click to rate     Rating   33

The money she's paying in tax for poxy politicians to play with like Monopoly money ENTITLES her to moan....... along with the rest of us.

Click to rate     Rating   71

Maybe her comments are abit tactless but 50% is a lot of money to hand over. She won't be getting use of all the services shes paying for... The taxpayers money is not going towards the things it should we are paying for many people to sit on there backside sponging all they can and getting away with it. We're paying for mps to keep adding to their expenses (dont get me started on andrea hill), foreign aid. Money should be goin towards schools, hospitals, creating more jobs, lookin after the british people to build britain back to what it should be.

Click to rate     Rating   45

Top rate tax at 50% is just way too high. I don't blame her for speaking out and whilst it might appear offensive to the general working population, she is young and therefore a bit naive. Top rate tax used to be 40%, that is fair and the sooner the UK reverts to that, the better. At 50% rate, those who are fortunate enough to be on that Tax bracket, will, understandably be looking for ways and methods to avoid it, which results in money leaving the country. Tax is fair, Tax is right, but it has to be fair. I agree with Roo in Milton Keynes re the benefits cheats who amass children and houses and contribute nothing.

Click to rate     Rating   43

Welcome to the real world

Click to rate     Rating   26

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