UK's Top 100 Taxpayers Unveiled: Betfred Brothers Top Record £5.7bn Contributions
The Sunday Times Tax List 2026 has been published, revealing the UK's top 100 taxpayers and their substantial contributions to a record-breaking total of £5.758 billion in tax payments. This marks a significant increase from the previous year's total of £4.985 billion, highlighting the growing financial impact of high-earning individuals and businesses on the national economy.
Betfred Brothers Lead the Rankings with £400.1m Tax Bill
Topping the list for the first time are the billionaire brothers behind the gambling giant Betfred, Fred and Peter Done. Founded in Warrington in 1967, their business contributed an estimated £400.1 million in tax over the past year. This represents a notable rise of almost half from their previous tax bill of £273.4 million, driven in part by recent changes to corporation tax rates implemented by the government to support higher welfare spending.
High-Profile New Entries and Notable Names
The list features several new and prominent entries, showcasing the diversity of the UK's top taxpayers. Among them, Harry Styles, the former One Direction member turned solo artist, made his debut in 54th place with a tax payment of £24.7 million. In the sports world, two footballers joined the list for the first time: Manchester City's Erling Haaland, who at 25 is the youngest person on the list, paid an estimated £16.9 million in tax, ranking 72nd, and Liverpool's Mo Salah contributed £14.5 million, placing 81st.
Other notable figures include:
- JK Rowling, the Harry Potter author, ranked 36th with a tax bill of £47.5 million.
- Ed Sheeran, the musician, came in 64th with a payment of £19.9 million.
- Anthony Joshua, the boxer, rounded out the list at 100th place, paying £11 million.
Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs Feature Prominently
The rankings also highlight significant contributions from the business sector. Financial trading entrepreneur Alex Gerko secured second place with £331.4 million in tax, followed closely by hedge fund boss Chris Rokos at £330 million. Mike Ashley, the billionaire businessman, ranked ninth with a contribution of £175 million, while entrepreneurs like Sir James Dyson and Nik Storonsky, co-founder of Revolut, also made the list.
Wetherspoons founder Sir Tim Martin, aged 70, ranked eighth with a personal tax payment of £199.7 million, underscoring the ongoing impact of established business figures on the tax landscape.
Factors Behind the Increased Tax Contributions
Robert Watts, the compiler of the list, commented on the trends observed this year, stating, "This is an increasingly diverse list, with Premier League footballers and world famous pop stars lining up alongside aristocrats and business owners selling pies, pillows and baby milk." He attributed the substantial jump in total tax identified largely to higher corporation tax rates, which have prompted many on the list, including the Done brothers, to pay more.
Interestingly, the list includes six taxpayers who have left the UK over the past year, amid reports of wealthy individuals relocating to avoid higher taxes under Labour or due to the removal of non-dom status. Examples include Wren Kitchens founder Malcolm Healey and sports promoter Eddie Hearn, indicating ongoing shifts in the tax strategies of high-net-worth individuals.
Overall, the Sunday Times Tax List 2026 provides a comprehensive snapshot of the UK's top taxpayers, revealing not only the record-breaking sums contributed but also the varied sources of these payments, from entertainment and sports to business and entrepreneurship.
