Betfred brothers top Sunday Times tax list with 400m bill as stars and entrepreneurs pay record sums

"The billionaire brothers behind Betfred have topped the Sunday Times 2026 Tax List, after paying an estimated £400.1 million to the UK Treasury, making them the country's biggest individual taxpayers. Fred and Peter Done, founders of the betting empire, took the top spot in the annual rankings, with around half of their contribution linked to gambling duties generated by Betfred's nationwide chain of betting shops."

"Pub tycoon Tim Martin ranked eighth, with a personal tax contribution just under £200 million. His company, JD Wetherspoon, operates 794 pubs and paid a total of £837.1 million in taxes last year, averaging more than £1 million per pub across corporation tax, VAT, business rates and gaming duties. Martin, who owns 26.7% of the group, said he had no complaints about his personal tax bill, describing taxation as a political choice for voters rather than a personal grievance."

"Among public figures, Harry Styles emerged as the highest-contributing celebrity, ranked 54th overall, with an estimated £24.7 million tax bill. Most of his contribution stems from touring and merchandise income generated through his company, Erskine Records. He finished ahead of fellow singer Ed Sheeran, who paid just under £20 million in tax after receiving a £41 million dividend last year."

Fred and Peter Done paid an estimated £400.1 million to the UK Treasury, with around half linked to gambling duties from Betfred's nationwide betting shops. The Sunday Times Tax List ranks Britain’s wealthiest individual taxpayers and shows substantial tax contributions amid concerns about high-net-worth migration. Tim Martin contributed just under £200 million personally, while JD Wetherspoon paid £837.1 million in taxes last year across corporation tax, VAT, business rates and gaming duties, averaging over £1 million per pub. Other top contributors include financiers Alex Gerko, Chris Rokos and Peter Hargreaves, retail figures such as Mike Ashley and Tom Morris, the Perkins family and Stephen Rubin. Harry Styles paid an estimated £24.7 million and Ed Sheeran just under £20 million.

Read at Business Matters