A recent report by the Sunday Times has estimated the highest tax payers in the UK, with notable names such as JK Rowling and Ed Sheeran making the list. The 100 contributors were ranked based on their contributions to public finances, including tax paid on business profits, share sales, dividends, house purchases, and personal income. The list revealed that two-thirds of the individuals paid less tax in 2023 compared to the previous year.

The top spot on the list was taken by Alex Gerko, a Russian-born billionaire and financial trader. He paid an estimated £664.5m in taxes for the 2023 financial year, making him the largest taxpayer. Gerko, who founded algorithmic trading firm XTX Markets, renounced his Russian nationality and gained British citizenship in 2016. He is considered a rock star in the world of algorithmic trading.

Other notable names on the list include Bernie Ecclestone, the former Formula 1 chief executive, and Denise Coates, the boss of gambling firm Bet365. Ecclestone, a new entry on the list, paid £650m in tax and penalties to HMRC to avoid jail. Coates came in third on the list.

The report also highlighted that some individuals and families voluntarily provided their tax information to the newspaper. However, it is important to note that HMRC does not comment on individual cases, so the estimates provided by the Times cannot be verified.

The list revealed that more than a quarter of the entries were based in London, with another eight from the south-east of England. Thirteen individuals came from the Midlands, 11 from the south-west of England, and 10 from Scotland. It is worth mentioning that the top rate of tax in Scotland will increase from 47% to 48% starting from April.

In terms of celebrities, author JK Rowling ranked 31st on the list, having paid £40m in UK taxes in the past year. Singer Ed Sheeran followed closely behind at 32nd place, contributing over £36m in UK tax. The report also mentioned that heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua, who ranked 88th on the list, paid over £12m in UK tax.

The report concluded by stating that the Hinduja family, who topped the Sunday Times Rich List last year, did not feature on the tax list. This is because their wealth is derived from businesses outside of the UK. The UK has become an attractive destination for wealthy individuals, who enjoy the cultural life and wealth management services it offers. However, many of these individuals may not create businesses in the UK and may pay most of their taxes in other countries. The list can be found on the Sunday Times website.

Original news source: JK Rowling and Ed Sheeran estimated to be among UK's highest tax payers (BBC)

– News Summary
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– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Create a list of statements related to the article, such as "Wealthy individuals should pay more taxes" or "Celebrities should be more transparent about their finances." Have the students go around the class and ask their classmates for their opinions on each statement. They can record the responses and then discuss their findings as a class.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Choose a selection of vocabulary words from the article, such as "contributions," "renounced," or "penalties." Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a word and have them take turns drawing a picture to represent the word while their partner tries to guess what it is. After a set amount of time, switch roles and give each pair a new word.
– Keyword Hangman
Instructions: Choose several keywords from the article, such as "taxes," "contributions," or "wealthy." Play a game of hangman as a class, with one student choosing a word and the others trying to guess the letters. Use the keywords from the article to reinforce vocabulary and spelling.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. Assign one group to argue the pros of wealthy individuals paying more taxes, and the other group to argue the cons. Give each group a few minutes to prepare their arguments, then have them present their points to the class. Encourage a respectful debate and discussion after both sides have presented.

A recent report by the Sunday Times has estimated the highest tax ? in the UK, with ? names such as JK Rowling and Ed Sheeran making the list. The 100 contributors were ranked based on their contributions to public finances, including tax paid on ? profits, share sales, dividends, house purchases, and personal income. The list revealed that two-thirds of the individuals paid less tax in 2023 compared to the previous year. The top spot on the list was taken by Alex Gerko, a Russian-born billionaire and financial trader. He paid an estimated £664.5m in taxes for the 2023 financial year, making him the ? taxpayer. Gerko, who founded algorithmic trading firm XTX Markets, ? his ? nationality and gained British citizenship in 2016. He is considered a rock star in the world of algorithmic trading. Other notable names on the list include Bernie Ecclestone, the former Formula 1 chief executive, and Denise ?, the boss of gambling firm Bet365. Ecclestone, a new entry on the list, paid £650m in tax and penalties to HMRC to avoid jail. Coates came in third on the list. The ? also highlighted that some individuals and families voluntarily provided their tax information to the newspaper. However, it is important to note that HMRC does not comment on individual cases, so the estimates provided by the Times cannot be verified. The list revealed that more than a quarter of the entries were based in ?, with another eight from the south-east of England. Thirteen individuals came from the Midlands, 11 from the south-west of England, and 10 from Scotland. It is worth mentioning that the top rate of tax in Scotland will increase from 47% to 48% ? from ?. In terms of celebrities, author JK Rowling ranked 31st on the list, having paid £40m in UK ? in the past year. Singer Ed Sheeran followed closely behind at 32nd place, contributing over £36m in UK tax. The report also mentioned that heavyweight boxer Anthony ?, who ranked 88th on the list, paid over £12m in UK tax. The report concluded by stating that the Hinduja family, who ? the Sunday Times Rich List last year, did not feature on the tax list. This is because their wealth is derived from businesses outside of the UK. The UK has ? an ? destination for wealthy individuals, who enjoy the cultural life and wealth management services it offers. However, many of these individuals may not create businesses in the UK and may pay most of their taxes in other countries. The list can be found on the Sunday Times website.

1. What is your opinion on the fact that two-thirds of the individuals on the tax list paid less tax in 2023 compared to the previous year? Why or why not?
2. How would you feel if you were a billionaire like Alex Gerko and had to pay £664.5m in taxes for one year? Why?
3. Do you think it is fair that some individuals voluntarily provided their tax information to the newspaper? Why or why not?
4. Why do you think more than a quarter of the entries on the tax list were based in London?
5. How do you feel about the fact that the top rate of tax in Scotland will increase from 47% to 48% starting from April? Why?
6. What is your opinion on celebrities like JK Rowling and Ed Sheeran ranking on the tax list? Why?
7. How would you feel if you were a celebrity like JK Rowling or Ed Sheeran and had to pay millions of pounds in taxes? Why?
8. Do you think it is fair that the Hinduja family, who topped the Sunday Times Rich List last year, did not feature on the tax list? Why or why not?
9. How do you feel about wealthy individuals choosing to pay most of their taxes in other countries instead of the UK? Why?
10. What is your opinion on the UK becoming an attractive destination for wealthy individuals? Why?
11. How do you feel about the fact that some individuals on the tax list paid penalties to avoid jail? Why?
12. Do you think it is important for individuals to contribute to public finances through taxes? Why or why not?
13. How would you feel if you were a financial trader like Alex Gerko and had to pay such a large amount of taxes? Why?
14. Do you think it is fair that some individuals on the tax list renounced their nationality and gained British citizenship? Why or why not?
15. What is your opinion on the fact that some individuals on the tax list paid taxes on business profits, share sales, dividends, house purchases, and personal income? Why?

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