The billionaire brothers behind gambling giant Betfred have topped the latest list of the UK’s biggest taxpayers, as figures from music, sport and publishing — including Harry Styles and Anthony Joshua — feature among those estimated to have paid the largest sums into the public finances.
According to the newly released Sunday Times Tax List, Fred Done and Peter Done and their family ranked first for the first time, with an estimated tax contribution of £400.1m over the past year. The annual ranking tracks the 100 individuals and families believed to have made the highest tax payments in the UK, reports The WP Times, citing the BBC.
In total, the top 100 taxpayers are estimated to have paid £5.758bn, up sharply from £4.985bn the previous year. The increase is widely linked to higher corporation tax and dividend taxation, which came into effect in 2023, alongside strong profits across sectors such as finance, gambling, retail and entertainment. Harry Styles appears on the list for the first time after an estimated £24.7m tax payment. The former One Direction member has since become one of the world’s most commercially successful solo artists, with income streams spanning music sales, global touring, merchandise and brand partnerships. His entry underlines the growing presence of international entertainers among the UK’s highest taxpayers.
Anthony Joshua, one of Britain’s most recognisable sporting figures, ranked 100th with an estimated £11m bill. While no longer holding a world title, the heavyweight boxer continues to generate substantial earnings through fight purses, endorsements and commercial deals. The list also includes author JK Rowling, ranked 36th with an estimated £47.5m tax payment, and musician Ed Sheeran, who is believed to have paid close to £20m. Together, their presence highlights how the creative industries now sit alongside traditional business sectors in terms of fiscal contribution.
Footballers remain prominent. Erling Haaland, aged 25, is the youngest person on the list, ranked 72nd with a projected £16.9m tax payment following another high-earning season at Manchester City. Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is estimated to have paid £14.5m.
Beyond celebrities, the upper ranks of the list are dominated by founders and financiers. Trading entrepreneur Alex Gerko placed second with an estimated £331.4m, closely followed by hedge fund boss Chris Rokos on £330m. Pub chain founder Tim Martin ranked eighth, contributing just under £200m. The compilers of the list say the latest edition reflects an increasingly diverse profile of top taxpayers, with Premier League footballers and globally recognised pop stars now appearing alongside industrialists, retailers and financial traders. At the same time, it arrives amid ongoing debate over the UK’s tax competitiveness and the impact of changes to the non-dom regime.
Several individuals are included despite having left the UK in the past year, including Nik Storonsky, underlining the complexity of tax residency and the lag between relocation and final tax settlements. HMRC does not comment on individual cases, and the figures published in the Sunday Times Tax List are estimates based on publicly available information, company accounts and known transactions. They should therefore be treated as indicative rather than definitive.
When the list is published
The Sunday Times Tax List is published once a year and is widely regarded as one of the most closely watched benchmarks of wealth and tax contribution in the UK. The ranking is usually released in late January or early February, following an extensive review of company accounts, public filings and major financial transactions from the previous year.
The latest edition was published on 1 February 2026 and reflects estimated tax payments linked to income tax, corporation tax, capital gains tax and sector-specific duties. The next edition is expected in early 2027, with the precise publication date determined by the newspaper’s annual editorial schedule.
Harry Styles: upcoming cities and dates
Alongside his debut appearance on the Tax List, Harry Styles is preparing for a high-profile return to live touring in 2026. The singer is set to headline a record-breaking residency at Wembley Stadium in London, where he will perform 12 shows between mid-June and early July 2026 — the longest run ever announced by a solo artist at the venue.
The Wembley dates are expected to draw fans from across the UK and Europe, reinforcing London’s role as a major hub for large-scale live music events. Industry analysts note that stadium residencies of this scale generate substantial economic activity, from ticket sales and tourism to hospitality and transport.
In addition to London, European dates have already appeared on major ticketing platforms, including shows listed in Amsterdam, with further cities expected to be announced in subsequent phases of the tour. Promoters typically stagger announcements to manage demand, suggesting that more UK and European venues may follow in the coming months.
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