The Sunday Times Tax List 2026 has revealed for the first time the staggering amounts the Premier League’s biggest stars contribute to the British public purse. Topping the list are Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, who have emerged as the most generous taxpayers in UK football.
Haaland and Salah Lead the Pack
According to the latest figures, the top ten taxpayers in the league contributed over £100 million to the Treasury in the last year.
- Erling Haaland leads the rankings, having paid an estimated £16.9 million in taxes.
- Mohamed Salah follows closely in second place with a tax contribution of £14.5 million.
These figures come amid a fiscal squeeze initiated by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, whose November budget included measures that could see even higher tax revenues generated from elite clubs and players in the coming years.
The Impact of New Tax Laws
The report highlights a unique trend: Raheem Sterling is the only British citizen among the top ten highest earners, emphasizing the massive tax revenue generated by international talent in the UK.
As the government tightens fiscal rules, industry experts are debating whether these high tax burdens will make the Premier League less attractive to global stars or if clubs will simply increase gross salaries to compensate—potentially passing those costs on to fans through higher ticket prices.