The latest revelations on Britain’s top taxpayers highlight gambling moguls as leading contributors, with Premier League athletes and pop icons joining the ranks of the nation’s most prominent figures.
According to The Sunday Times Tax List 2026, the top 100 taxpayers in the UK collectively contributed £5.758 billion to the nation’s coffers over the last year. This comes at a time when countless Britons rushed to file their tax returns before the end-of-January deadline.
For the first time, Fred and Peter Done, the masterminds behind a gambling empire, have claimed the top spot, paying an estimated £400.1 million in taxes—a significant increase from their previous £273.4 million contribution.
Founded in 1967, the Done brothers’ company, Betfred, has its roots in Warrington, Cheshire. Their substantial tax payments outshine those of many hedge fund and financial sector heavyweights, who otherwise populate much of the top 20 list.
Among the new entrants for 2026 is ex-One Direction member Harry Styles, making his debut at number 54 with a tax payment of £24.7 million.
The list also sees the addition of two Premier League footballers, marking their first appearance.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, who earns around £500,000 a week plus bonuses, paid an estimated £16.9 million, while Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah contributed £14.5 million on the back of his salary, bonuses and commercial deals.
Other well known names on the list include JK Rowling, who ranks at number 36 after paying £47.5 million, equivalent to around £130,000 a day.
Brothers Fred (left) and Peter Done (right) own BetFred as well as a company that provides counselling to staff across the public sector For the first time, gambling founders Fred Done (left) and Peter Done (right)
Britain’s biggest taxpayers have been revealed, with gambling tycoons topping the list and Premier League footballers and pop stars joining some of the country’s most recognisable household names. New faces on the list for 2026 include former One Direction star Harry Styles, who enters at number 54 after paying £24.7 million.
Other well known names on the list include JK Rowling, who ranks at number 36 after paying £47.5 million, equivalent to around £130,000 a day
Singer Ed Sheeran also features, while heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua just makes the top 100 with a tax bill of £11 million.
The eighth edition of the Tax List shows that every individual or family included paid at least £11 million to earn a place, £500,000 more than last year.
Fourteen taxpayers contributed more than £100 million, while the total paid by the top 100 rose by 15.5 per cent compared with a year ago.
Robert Watts, who compiled the list, said the increase was largely driven by higher corporation tax and dividend rates.
He said: ‘The Sunday Times Tax List features household names as well as some of our economy’s hidden heroes, quietly successful entrepreneurs who have set up companies employing hundreds of people and plugging vast sums into the public finances.’
Construction emerged as the best represented sector overall, while finance and gambling dominated the very top of the rankings.
The research also found that one in nine of those on the list are no longer resident in the UK, instead choosing to live in places such as Monaco, Dubai and Switzerland.
Singer Ed Sheeran also features, while heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua just makes the top 100 with a tax bill of £11 million
Two Premier League footballers also appear for the first time. Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, who earns around £500,000 a week plus bonuses, paid an estimated £16.9 million
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah contributed £14.5 million on the back of his salary, bonuses and commercial deals
Mr Watts warned that while many still deliver large sums through their businesses, the Treasury would collect even more if they remained liable for personal tax in Britain.
All figures are calculated using the most recently filed company accounts and include corporation tax, income tax, dividends, capital gains and certain duties.
Mr Watts, added: ‘One in nine of the people who make the Tax List are no longer listed as resident here in the UK, instead choosing to live in Monaco, Dubai, Switzerland, Cyprus, Portugal, the United States or the Channel Islands.
‘Clearly the Tax Listers who have moved offshore are still delivering huge sums to HM Treasury through their businesses, but the Chancellor would no doubt be raising even more money from these people had they chosen to stay put and remain liable for personal tax here.
‘It’s hard to see how an exodus of the super rich from these shores is anything to cheer for those who care about the future of our public finances.’
