UK’s Largest Taxpayers Contribute Record £5.7bn to Treasury

The founders of betting company Betfred have claimed the top position in Britain's latest ranking of largest individual tax contributors, marking a significant shift in the composition of the nation's highest-paying taxpayers.

Fred and Peter Done, who established their Warrington-headquartered operation in 1967, remitted an estimated £400.1m to HM Revenue & Customs during the past year. The figure represents a substantial increase of nearly 50 per cent from their previous year's contribution of £273.4m, according to analysis published in The Sunday Times Tax List 2026.

The gambling entrepreneurs displaced the previous year's leaders to secure first place among Britain's most substantial tax contributors. Financial markets specialist Alex Gerko secured second position with payments totalling £331.4m, whilst hedge fund manager Chris Rokos ranked third with a £330m contribution.

The annual assessment, which tracks personal and corporate tax payments by wealthy individuals, recorded total contributions of £5.758bn from the top 100 taxpayers, representing an increase from £4.985bn in the prior year.

Notable entertainment figures feature prominently throughout the rankings. Pop artist Harry Styles entered the list for the first time, appearing in 54th position with tax payments of £24.7m. The musician, preparing to release his fourth studio album this March, joined other creative professionals including author JK Rowling, who ranked 36th with a £47.5m bill, and singer Ed Sheeran in 64th place with £19.9m in contributions.

Professional sport has increasingly contributed to the upper echelons of tax payments. Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and Liverpool forward Mo Salah both made their debuts on the list this year. Haaland, at 25 years old, became the youngest individual to appear in the rankings, with an estimated payment of £16.9m placing him 72nd. Salah's £14.5m contribution positioned him in 81st place, whilst boxer Anthony Joshua rounded out the top 100 with £11m in tax.

Business leaders maintain a strong presence across the rankings. Retail magnate Mike Ashley placed ninth with a £175m contribution, whilst hospitality entrepreneur Sir Tim Martin ranked eighth, paying £199.7m. Engineering industrialist Sir James Dyson and Revolut co-founder Nik Storonsky also secured positions among the highest contributors.

The compiler of the assessment noted the growing diversity among Britain's largest taxpayers, observing that the list now encompasses individuals from entertainment, professional sports, traditional aristocracy and various commercial sectors including food manufacturing and homeware retail.

The marked increase in total tax contributions has been attributed primarily to adjustments in corporation tax rates and related fiscal measures implemented to fund expanded welfare programmes. These policy changes have particularly affected business owners and entrepreneurs whose tax liabilities are linked to corporate profits.

Despite the overall growth in contributions, six individuals featured on the list relocated from Britain during the past year. The departures occurred amid broader discussions regarding tax policy changes and the elimination of non-domiciled status arrangements. Kitchen retailer entrepreneur Malcolm Healey and boxing promoter Eddie Hearn were among those who moved whilst retaining their positions on the rankings.

Industry impact and market implications

The substantial rise in tax contributions from Britain's wealthiest individuals reflects wider shifts in fiscal policy and business performance across multiple sectors. The near 50 per cent increase in payments from Betfred's founders signals robust profitability within the gambling industry, despite ongoing regulatory scrutiny and calls for tightened restrictions on betting operations.

Higher corporation tax rates, implemented to fund increased public spending, have directly affected business owners whose personal wealth is derived from corporate dividends and distributions. This policy shift may influence future corporate structuring decisions and dividend strategies among privately held enterprises.

The departure of six high-net-worth individuals from Britain, even as they maintain tax obligations, underscores competitive pressures among jurisdictions seeking to attract and retain wealthy residents. Changes to non-domiciled status rules represent a significant alteration to Britain's long-standing approach to international tax residency, with potential implications for investment flows and entrepreneurial activity.

The prominence of Premier League footballers among top taxpayers highlights the financial scale of elite sport, whilst also raising questions about sustainability as clubs navigate financial fair play regulations and wage inflation pressures. Meanwhile, the continued strong showing by technology entrepreneurs and financial services professionals reinforces London's position as a global centre for fintech innovation and capital markets activity.