Boxer Anthony Joshua, Harry Potter author JK Rowling, and football star Mohamed Salah have been named among the United Kingdom’s 100 biggest taxpayers, according to the Sunday Times Tax List 2026.
Topping the list for the first time are billionaire brothers Fred and Peter Done, founders of gambling giant Betfred, who reportedly paid an estimated £400.1 million in tax over the past year. Their tax contribution rose sharply from £273.4 million recorded the previous year.
Financial trading entrepreneur Alex Gerko ranked second on the list after paying £331.4 million, while hedge fund boss Chris Rokos followed closely with an estimated £330 million tax bill.
Singer Harry Styles made his debut on the list, ranking 54th with an estimated £24.7 million paid in tax. Businessman Mike Ashley placed ninth, contributing about £175 million, while Sir James Dyson and Nik Storonsky, co-founder of fintech firm Revolut, also featured.
Two football stars appeared on the list for the first time. Manchester City striker Erling Haaland ranked 72nd with an estimated tax payment of £16.9 million, making him the youngest person on the list at 25 years old. Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah placed 81st, with a tax bill believed to be around £14.5 million.
JK Rowling ranked 36th, having paid approximately £47.5 million, while singer Ed Sheeran placed 64th with an estimated £19.9 million contribution.
British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua rounded off the list at 100th, after paying about £11 million in tax.
Meanwhile, Wetherspoons founder Sir Tim Martin ranked eighth, contributing nearly £199.7 million personally.
Overall, the list revealed that the top 100 taxpayers handed over a combined £5.758 billion, up from £4.985 billion recorded the previous year. The increase was largely attributed to higher corporation tax rates and other government tax changes.
Commenting on the figures, Robert Watts, who compiled the list, said the rankings reflected a growing mix of footballers, entertainers and business owners, adding that the rise in tax payments was driven mainly by changes in corporate taxation.
