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Business tycoon Lord Alan Sugar was called out this week for a mathematical blunder during a heated debate about tax on Twitter.

The 72-year-old made the error after responding to post in which someone said they would love to be in the "privileged position" where they had to pay a higher rate of tax.

The Apprentice star, who founded electronics company Amstrad when he was just 21, shared in his views on the controversial topic - taking aim at Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in the process.

Lord Sugar replied: "A person who earns over £100k under Jeremy Corbyn might end up with just 30K i.e. 70% tax.

"No incentive to work or prosper, no future managers no future company successes. = no employment of others ."

But when someone starts to pay a higher rate of tax, it kicks in on all earnings over the initial amount. So if a 70% tax bracket was brought in for people earning over £100,000, then on earnings of £150,000 they would pay 70% tax on the £50,000 (£35,000), as well as the normal rates of tax payable on their earnings below £100,000.

Confused? Lord Sugar seems to have been. And the media personality was soon flooded with responses claiming that he didn't understand how marginal tax rates worked - with some even mocking the star's iconic catchphrase.

"I am no expert on trickle down economics, but pretty sure this is somewhere between completely wrong and a lie," one Twitter user replied.

"This is not at all how the tax system works, you’re embarrassing yourself," added another.

One social media user said Lord Sugar's lack of tax knowledge was evidence of why "the tax system should be a mandatory part of the high school curriculum, so misinformation can't be passed down."

And another response even made reference to his BBC business reality show, tweeting: "Your tweet is a bloody mess and for that reason, I’m struggling. It is with regret that you’re fired."

The Apprentice star, who was a member of the Labour party until 2015, has long been vocal about its current leader - even promising to leave the country if he becomes Prime Minister.

(Image: PA)

It's not the first time Lord Sugar has been criticised over the tax system though: the businessman was accused of dismissing Mr Corbyn's leadership in 2017 simply because he wanted to avoid paying tax.

In response Lord Sugar posted a photo of a cheque he'd made to the HMRC, revealing that he'd paid almost £60million in tax that year.

He added: "To the people who have responded to my advice not to vote for Corbyn saying I want to avoid paying tax.

"I paid this personally in January."