Harry Styles, Anthony Joshua and Betfred Bosses: Meet UK's Biggest Taxpayers

When the nation was in the midst of a tight financial season and an increase in standards of living, a few individuals were secretly giving huge amounts of money to the Treasury. They did so, not by offers and addresses, but by tens and hundreds of millions of pounds in taxes.

The most recent Sunday Times Tax List gives a rare insightful knowledge of the people who contribute the most taxes in the nation. The top contributors include pop stars, athletes, bookmakers and hedge fund managers.

The top 100 taxpayers contributed to a sum of £5.758 billion. This marks an impressive increase in comparison to the last year and highlights how the Britain's richest continue to carry a substantial tax burden.

Betfred Brothers Take the Crown

Fred and Peter Done established Betfred in Warrington in 1967 and have since grown into one of the UK's largest betting businesses. In the last financial year alone, they reportedly paid £400.1 million in taxes, placing them at the top of the rankings for the first time. Their contribution rose sharply from £273.4 million the previous year.

The Done brothers are often cited as an example of determination and perseverance. Having dropped out of school at the age of 15 and having no formal education, they established an empire of national betting ventures that currently contribute greatly in terms of revenue collection.

Stars From Sport and Music Step Up

A large portion of the list features well-known public figures.

Among the new entrants is Harry Styles, now a successful solo artist after his early career with One Direction. Styles is estimated to have paid £24.7 million in taxes, reflecting the substantial earnings from touring, streaming, and endorsements.

Former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua appears at number 100, with an estimated tax payment of £11 million.

Several footballers also rank close behind. Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, aged just 25, is the youngest on the list and is expected to pay around £16.9 million in taxes.

Harry Potter author JK Rowling ranked 36th with an estimated £47.5m tax bill, while Ed Sheeran appeared 64th on the list with £19.9m paid. These people are well known; however, there is the same reality behind the glitz and glam of the list.

It is important to note that whenever there is success, there are significant tax liabilities associated with it.

Why the Numbers Are Rising

According to the list compilers, the higher total tax payments are partly due to the rise in corporation tax from 19% to 25%, introduced in 2023, as well as higher dividend taxes.

Robert Watts, who oversees the list, comments on the increasing diversity of wealth in Britain, noting that business owners sit next to athletes and international entertainers. The wealthy now include 'old money' and 'new money' in the same column.

The message is clear, and in today's Britain, the source of wealth will be from multiple areas.

A Quiet but Crucial Contribution

HMRC does not disclose individual records, and the figures are estimates based on company filings and available income, dividend, and corporation tax data. Still, the scale is striking. At a time when public services are under strain, billions contributed by a small number of taxpayers can have a meaningful impact. While headlines often focus on who earns the most, this list highlights a different narrative. It ultimately reveals who contributes the most back to the nation's finances.