JK Rowling to Harry Styles: Who are the UK’s biggest taxpayers

J.K. Rowling and Harry Styles have been named among the UK’s 100 biggest taxpayers, according to the newly released Sunday Times Tax List 2026, as Betfred founders Fred and Peter Done topped the rankings for the first time.

The annual list reveals that the billionaire Done brothers, who founded their Warrington-based gambling business in 1967, paid an estimated £400.1 million in tax over the past year. This represents a sharp rise of nearly 50 per cent compared with their previous tax bill of £273.4 million.

Rising Tax Contributions Driven by Policy Changes

The surge in tax payments is largely attributed to recent corporation tax increases and fiscal reforms introduced by the Labour government, aimed at strengthening public finances and expanding welfare spending.

Collectively, the UK’s top 100 taxpayers contributed £5.758 billion, up significantly from £4.985 billion the year before.

Robert Watts, compiler of the list, highlighted the growing diversity among the country’s highest contributors.

“This is an increasingly diverse list, with Premier League footballers and world-famous pop stars alongside aristocrats and entrepreneurs selling everything from pies to baby milk,” he said.
“This year there’s been a big jump in the amount of tax we’ve identified – largely because of higher corporation tax rates.”

Celebrities Feature Prominently on the Tax List

A number of high-profile celebrities made the rankings, including J. K. Rowling, who placed 36th after paying an estimated £47.5 million in tax.

Former One Direction star Harry Styles appeared on the list for the first time, contributing £24.7 million. Other notable names included footballers Mohamed Salah (£14.5m) and Erling Haaland (£16.9m), as well as musician Ed Sheeran, who paid £19.9 million.

Wealthy Individuals Leaving the UK

The list also pointed to a growing trend of wealthy individuals relocating abroad. Six taxpayers featured despite no longer being UK residents, amid speculation that higher taxes and the removal of non-dom status influenced their decisions.

Those who have left the UK include Nik Storonsky, Malcolm Healey, and sports promoter Eddie Hearn.

Mr Watts commented on the impact of this shift:

“One in nine people on the tax list are no longer resident in the UK. While they are still contributing large sums through their businesses, the Treasury would likely raise even more if they remained personally liable for UK tax.”

A Record-Breaking Year for UK Tax Revenues

Despite concerns over high-net-worth individuals moving offshore, the Tax List 2026 underscores a record-breaking year for tax contributions, reflecting both economic resilience among top earners and the significant impact of government tax policy changes.