Sigur Rós charged by Icelandic authorities over tax evasion

29 March 2019, 12:21 | Written by Cerys Kenneally

(News)

(Sigur Rós)

Sigur Rós have been charged with tax evasion by the Icelandic authorities.

According to The Guardian, the Icelandic authorities launched an investigation into the band's finances back in 2016.

Yesterday (28 March) it was revealed that the group have been accused of evading 151 million Icelandic krona (approx £945,000) in tax between 2011 and 2014.

The band has since been co-operating with tax authorities, and revealed that their former accountant was to blame for the mishandling. In a statement, the band said they regret "seeing the case end up in court."

Frontman Jónsi has been accused of evading $240,000 in income taxes and $105,000 on his investment taxes. The other members of Sigur Rós have had their assets, including houses and apartments worth £4.9 million, frozen while the case is pending trial.

For high earners in Iceland, a 46% tax rate is put over personal income.

So far a court date has not been set. Yesterday, the Icelandic group announced a 20th anniversary boxset edition of their breakthrough album Ágætis byrjun.