The record Rs 25.2 crore bid for Cameron Green in the IPL 2026 mini-auction does not reflect his actual income, which is heavily cut by a "maximum fee" regulation and the high tax burden on overseas professionals.
Reduced From Rs 25.2 Crore to Rs 18 crore
A new IPL rule caps the maximum payable amount to an overseas player at Rs 18 crore in a mini-auction, regardless of the winning bid.
Consequently, while KKR's successful bid was Rs 25.20 crore, only Rs 18 crore is contractually paid to Cameron Green. The remaining Rs 7.2 crore is redirected to the BCCI for player welfare or development funds.
Indian Tax Withholding Applicable To Cameron Green's contract
Cameron Green's IPL income is taxed under Section 115BBA for non-residents at a flat 20% TDS. From his Rs 18 crore contract, this base deduction is Rs 3.6 crore.
Since the payment surpasses Rs 5 crore, surcharges and a 4% health and education cess apply, elevating the effective tax rate significantly above 20%.
Estimated Take-Home Pay From India
According to a detailed breakdown, Green's net Indian income after the 20% TDS, applicable surcharge, and 4% health and education cess is approximately Rs 13.3 crore. This amount is then subject to Australian tax laws, where credits may be available under the India-Australia DTAA.
Consequently, his final worldwide take-home could be around Rs 13 crore, a figure that cannot be definitively calculated without knowledge of his full global income.
- TDS (Tax Deducted at Source): A flat rate of 20% on the Rs. 18 crore salary = Rs. 3.6 crore.
- Surcharge: Since the income exceeds Rs. 5 crore, a 25% surcharge is applied on the TDS amount = Rs. 0.90 crore.
- Cess: A 4% Health and Education Cess is applied on the combined TDS and surcharge = Rs. 0.18 crore.
- Total Tax Paid in India: Rs. 4.68 crore.
- Take-home from India: Approximately Rs. 13.32 crore.
| Stage | Amount (approx.) | Basis |
| Auction bid by KKR | Rs 25.20 crore | Winning mini-auction bid. |
| Payable IPL salary to Cameron Green | Rs 18.00 crore | Overseas player cap. |
| Indian TDS at 20% on Rs 18 crore | Rs 3.60 crore | Section 115BBA flat rate. |
| Extra surcharge on TDS (illustrative) | Rs 0.90 crore | High-income surcharge example. |
| 4% cess on tax + surcharge (illustrative) | Rs 0.18 crore | Health & education cess. |
| Net received from India (pre-Australia tax) | Rs 13.3 crore | Rough post-tax estimate. |
Final Net Earnings After Australian Taxes
As an Australian tax resident, Cameron Green is obligated to report his worldwide income to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Under the India-Australia Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), he can claim a Foreign Income Tax Offset (FITO) for the Rs 4.68 crore paid in Indian taxes.
However, because Australia's combined top marginal tax rate (45%) and Medicare levy (2%) exceed the effective tax rate he paid in India, he will likely owe the difference to the ATO.
To summarize, Cameron Green's net earnings from the Rs 25.2 crore bid are projected to be in the range of Rs 15-17 crore (~AUD 2.7 - 3.1 million) following all Indian deductions, with the possibility of a modest additional tax settlement due in Australia.
CAclubindia
