Unveiling the UK's Top Taxpayers: A Record-Breaking £5.7bn Contributed
The Sunday Times Tax List 2026 has revealed the UK's top 100 taxpayers, with a record-breaking total tax contribution of £5.7bn. Among the list are household names like Anthony Joshua, JK Rowling, and Mo Salah, but it's the billionaire brothers behind Betfred who take the top spot. Fred and Peter Done, the founders of the gambling giant, paid an estimated £400.1m in tax over the past year, a significant increase from the previous year's £273.4m.
But here's where it gets interesting. The list showcases a diverse range of taxpayers, from musicians and entrepreneurs to sports stars and aristocrats. For instance, Harry Styles, the former One Direction member-turned-solo artist, is a new entry in 54th place, paying £24.7m in tax. Meanwhile, billionaire businessman Mike Ashley ranks ninth with a contribution of £175m, and entrepreneur Sir James Dyson and Nik Storonsky, the co-founder of Revolut, also feature.
The list also highlights the impact of government tax changes, with many taxpayers, including the Done brothers, paying more tax to support higher welfare spending. However, it's not all about the big names. The youngest person to appear on the list is 25-year-old Erling Haaland, a Manchester City footballer in 72nd place with an estimated tax payment of £16.9m. And the list even includes two footballers, Salah and Haaland, who are believed to have paid £14.5m and £16.9m in tax, respectively.
So, who are the UK's top taxpayers, and what does it mean for the country's economy? Read on to find out more, and don't forget to share your thoughts in the comments below. But here's where it gets controversial... Are the UK's top taxpayers doing enough, or should the government be doing more to support higher welfare spending? And this is the part most people miss... The list also shows that the top 100 taxpayers handed over a total of £5.758bn worth of tax, up from £4.985bn a year earlier.
