Harry Styles and Anthony Joshua Among the UK’s Top Taxpayers
The latest Sunday Times Tax List reveals that household names like Harry Styles and Anthony Joshua have joined the ranks of the UK’s highest taxpayers. For Styles, the former One Direction member turned solo artist, this marks his debut on the list.
Key Highlights from the Tax List
– Top Taxpayers: The list is led by billionaire brothers Fred and Peter Done, founders of the gambling giant Betfred. They have paid an impressive £400.1 million in taxes over the past year.
– Rising Numbers: The total tax paid by the top 100 taxpayers reached £5.758 billion, a significant increase from £4.985 billion the previous year.
– Notable Entries:
– Harry Styles: With a contribution of £24.7 million, he’s among the new entries to the list.
– Anthony Joshua: Ranked 100th, the boxing star paid £11 million.
– JK Rowling, a regular on the list, ranked 36th with £47.5 million.
– Ed Sheeran appeared at 64th with a tax bill of £19.9 million.
– Youngest Taxpayer: Erling Haaland, Manchester City’s star, is the youngest on the list at 25 years old, with a projected tax payment of £16.9 million.
– Mo Salah: The Liverpool forward is estimated to have a tax bill of £14.5 million.
Why the Increase?
The increase in tax payments is partly attributed to the rise in corporation tax from 19% to 25% implemented in 2023 by the prior government, alongside heightened taxes on dividends. Notably, 45 out of the top 100 taxpayers reported increased contributions compared to last year.
The Top 10 UK Taxpayers
According to the Sunday Times, the top taxpayers are:
1. Fred and Peter Done and family (Betfred) – £400.1 million
2. Alex Gerko (trader) – £331.4 million
3. Chris Rokos (bond trader) – £330 million
4. Stephen Rubin and family (Pentland Group) – £325.6 million
5. Denise, John, and Peter Coates (Bet365) – £227.1 million
6. Peter Hargreaves (Hargreaves Lansdown co-founder) – £210 million
7. Tom Morris and family (Home Bargains) – £209.1 million
8. Sir Tim Martin (JD Wetherspoon) – £199.7 million
9. Mike Ashley (retail) – £175.9 million
10. Dame Mary, Douglas Perkins and family (Specsavers) – £121.7 million
Robert Watts, who compiled the list, commented on its diversity, highlighting the blend of elite sports figures, pop stars, and traditional business magnates. He noted the significant rise in identified tax amounts, predominantly due to the higher corporation tax rates.
Conclusion
As we examine the 2023 Sunday Times Tax List, it is clear that figures like Harry Styles and Anthony Joshua have made substantial contributions to the UK economy. With rising tax payments reflecting both individual earnings and broader economic shifts, this diverse assembly of taxpayers illustrates the evolving landscape of wealth in the UK.