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HMRC have been slated after a post about Luke Littler's PDC World Darts Championship earnings.
The 16-year-old wonderkid came second to Luke Humphries in a stunning debut tournament at Alexandra Palace.
Having led 4-2 on sets, Littler lost five sets in a row to the new world champion in Wednesday's record-breaking final.
Humphries won the Sid Waddell trophy and a £500,000 prize, but Littler still didn't do too bad at all after collecting a life-changing cheque for £200,000.
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However, it's emerged that the Warrington sensation will be hit with a monumental tax bill.
Investment platform Saxo said Littler have to forfeit at least 45 per cent of his £200,000 prize money, despite his age.
That figure stands at £76,203, with a further £7,330 in National Insurance required for Littler, who plans to spend some of his earnings on tracksuits and FIFA points.
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Until his debut, Littler had only ever made around £2,500 from darts but is now expected to rake it in in prize money and endorsements.
But HMRC have been met with angry responses after their reaction to Littler's success as they confirmed the tax situation.
The tax firm's press office wrote: "Big congrats to Luke on his fantastic run to the final.
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"We can confirm the existence of income tax."
The post was viewed over 500,000 times and met with many replies.
One said: "Don’t we know it. Stay in the shadows HMRC. No witty banter. You should be seen and not heard."
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A second fumed: "Nothing funny about this Tweet. Inappropriate."
A third added: "Does anyone think this is at all appropriate!?"
A fourth wrote: "I had to check to see if this is a parody account - it isn't."
Another blasted: "Sarcasm isn’t needed from the HMRC, thanks. It’s a terrible look for you."
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A final user simply stated: "Sick to my stomach."
The Littler train keeps on rolling, however, as he has been selected for the 2024 Premier League of Darts for the first time.
The eight-person weekly competition gets underway in Cardiff on February 1, by the time Littler will have turned 17.
Littler will join the likes of Humphries, Peter Wright, Michael Smith, Gerwyn Price and Michael van Gerwen in the tournament.
Reacting to his inclusion, he said: "Can't wait for this. Gonna be some experience."
The prize pot is set at £1 million, the winner taking home a massive £275,000.
Topics: Luke Littler, Darts
Josh Lawless