UK's richest taxpayers reveal their true worth: Betfred brothers lead the pack with a staggering £400m bill, followed closely by Harry Styles and JK Rowling.
The Sunday Times 2026 tax list has revealed that Fred and Peter Done, the billionaire brothers behind the gambling firm Betfred, have topped the list with an impressive £400.1m in tax paid. This staggering amount is roughly half of which relates to gambling duty from their lucrative betting shop empire. The duo's massive tax bill highlights the significant income generated by their business ventures.
The list also features a diverse range of high-net-worth individuals, including musicians, entrepreneurs, and sports personalities. Harry Styles, for instance, ranks 54th on the list with £24.7m in tax paid, largely attributed to his touring and merchandise firm Erskine Records. Fellow singer Ed Sheeran takes 71st place with a more modest £20m in taxes paid.
JK Rowling, best known for her Harry Potter book series, rounds out the top three on the list with an estimated £47.5m in tax paid, largely due to capital gains from the sale of her shares in Pottermore. The author has long been known for her philanthropic efforts and now adds another feather to her hat by contributing significantly to the UK's public finances.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is a notable new addition to the list at 72nd place, with an estimated tax bill of £16.9m. His impressive income from his basic wage, image rights, and bonus payments has made him one of the youngest taxpayers on the list.
As wealthy individuals continue to leave their mark on the UK's economy, it is clear that taxation remains a significant aspect of their financial lives. Whether they are entrepreneurs, celebrities, or sports personalities, those making up the top 100 biggest taxpayers have demonstrated their commitment to contributing to the country's coffers.
The Sunday Times 2026 tax list has revealed that Fred and Peter Done, the billionaire brothers behind the gambling firm Betfred, have topped the list with an impressive £400.1m in tax paid. This staggering amount is roughly half of which relates to gambling duty from their lucrative betting shop empire. The duo's massive tax bill highlights the significant income generated by their business ventures.
The list also features a diverse range of high-net-worth individuals, including musicians, entrepreneurs, and sports personalities. Harry Styles, for instance, ranks 54th on the list with £24.7m in tax paid, largely attributed to his touring and merchandise firm Erskine Records. Fellow singer Ed Sheeran takes 71st place with a more modest £20m in taxes paid.
JK Rowling, best known for her Harry Potter book series, rounds out the top three on the list with an estimated £47.5m in tax paid, largely due to capital gains from the sale of her shares in Pottermore. The author has long been known for her philanthropic efforts and now adds another feather to her hat by contributing significantly to the UK's public finances.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is a notable new addition to the list at 72nd place, with an estimated tax bill of £16.9m. His impressive income from his basic wage, image rights, and bonus payments has made him one of the youngest taxpayers on the list.
As wealthy individuals continue to leave their mark on the UK's economy, it is clear that taxation remains a significant aspect of their financial lives. Whether they are entrepreneurs, celebrities, or sports personalities, those making up the top 100 biggest taxpayers have demonstrated their commitment to contributing to the country's coffers.
️ It's fascinating to see the Betfred brothers take the top spot on this list with a whopping £400m in tax paid 
. Their success is a testament to the lucrative nature of the gambling industry, which has been criticized for its potential negative impacts on society 
. Meanwhile, authors like JK Rowling and musicians like Harry Styles show that creativity can lead to significant financial gains 
. It's interesting to note how these high-net-worth individuals contribute to the UK's public finances, even if it means giving up a substantial portion of their earnings 
. The diversity of the list highlights the various ways people make money and give back, whether through entrepreneurship, artistry, or sports 
.
Meanwhile, it's cool to see Harry Styles making a splash with his Erskine Records, who knew he was so wealthy? 
But what really got me thinking is how this list highlights the importance of taxation in our economy, it's not just about the rich, but also about the responsibility that comes with it 
.
... I mean, who doesn't love seeing a bunch of billionaires contributing to the economy? It's not like they're hiding it in offshore accounts or anything 
. seriously though, £400m is a lot of tax, but I guess you can't expect Fred and Peter Done to just keep all their money for themselves... maybe they'll invest it somewhere that benefits society 
?
Betfred brothers, Harry Styles, JK Rowling... they're all just doing their part to keep the UK afloat. I'm surprised by how many musicians made it on this list - it's not all about the glamour of fame, apparently! 
. JK Rowling's got more than enough clout to donate more of her wealth without flaunting it on a list 
and I'm still reeling from trying all that amazing street food... like, have you ever had Korean BBQ tacos? Mind blown! And I was thinking, what's up with these billionaires on the tax list? £400m is wild. I mean, can you even imagine having that kind of money? Anyway, just been listening to Harry Styles' new album and it's giving me major 80s vibes 
... anyway...
and I'm lowkey kinda salty Ed Sheeran only made 20 mil compared to Styles' 24.7 mil 
, and Erling Haaland is so fit at just 72nd place with 16.9 mil 
. But seriously, it's interesting to see how someone like Harry Styles can rack up a pretty penny just from touring and merch sales... I guess you could say he's got some serious fans 
. And JK Rowling is cool because she uses her wealth for good, but still, £47.5m? That's a lot of money 
. Fred and Peter Done's £400m bill is insane 
. And Erling Haaland's tax bill isn't bad for a 20-something footballer 
.
And I'm curious, do we know how much they're spending vs taxing? Like, are these people investing their money wisely or just blowing it on fancy houses and yachts? 
. It makes you wonder how much more would be paid if they all gave a bit more to the system? Not saying they shouldn't get their rewards, but it's good to see them giving back to society in some way 
But at the same time, you can't deny that they're contributing to the economy and making it happen for themselves.