Inside the Tax Files: Who Paid the Most Tax in India This Year?
From Bollywood stars and cricketing legends to industrial giants, politicians and financial powerhouses, these contributors channel a large share of their earnings back into nation-building
In India, both people and businesses have to pay taxes on the money they earn. The final tax amount depends on many things like the type of tax, expenses, deductions, exemptions, and income. This means the more someone earns, the more tax they usually have to pay. So, if a company or person earns in crores, their tax could also be in crores.
When we think of big taxpayers in India, names like Reliance, ITC, and Tata usually come to mind. But apart from these well-known companies, there are many others who are also among the highest taxpayers in the country. Curious to find who all pays the highest tax, scroll down…..
Top 10 Highest Taxpaying Individuals in India 2025
Leading the individual taxpayers is the legendary Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, who paid a staggering ₹120 crore in taxes, a 69% increase from the previous year. His earnings come from films, brand endorsements, and hosting the popular show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC).
Rankings of other top individual taxpayers (tax paid in crore INR):
| Rank | Name | Tax Paid (₹ Crore) |
| 1 | 120 | |
| 2 | Shah Rukh Khan | 92 |
| 3 | Thalapathy Vijay | 80 |
| 4 | Salman Khan | 75 |
| 5 | Virat Kohli | 66 |
| 6 | Ajay Devgn | 42 |
| 7 | Mahendra Singh Dhoni | 38 |
| 8 | Ranbir Kapoor | 36 |
| 9 | Sachin Tendulkar | 28 |
| 10 | Hrithik Roshan | 28 |
(Akshay Kumar who was awarded "Samman Patra" for being the highest taxpayer in India for the last five years by the Income Tax Department is not there in the top 10 this time. He has been at the top of the list of individual taxpayers in India, even in 2021. According to several reports, Akshay Kumar pays approximately Rs. 25.5 crore in taxes yearly.) These celebrities are among the highest contributors, particularly dominated by Bollywood stars and cricketers, reflecting their substantial incomes from entertainment and endorsements.
Top 10 Highest Taxpaying Companies in India 2025
Reliance Industries leads corporate taxpayers by a wide margin, paying a mammoth ₹25,707 crore for FY 2024-25. Reliance’s diversified business across oil, petrochemicals, retail, and telecom underpins its massive tax contribution.
Top 10 corporate taxpayers ranked by tax paid (₹ Crore):
| Rank | Company Name | Corporate Tax Paid (₹ Crore) |
| 1 | Reliance Industries | 25,707 |
| 2 | Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) | 15,898 |
| 3 | Vedanta | 12,826 |
| 4 | HDFC Bank | 11,122 |
| 5 | Infosys | 9,740 |
| 6 | ITC | 6,389 |
| 7 | Kotak Mahindra Bank | 5,887 |
| 8 | HCL Technologies | 5,257 |
| 9 | Larsen & Toubro | 4,947 |
| 10 | Bajaj Finance | 4,858 |
These companies represent sectors from energy and IT to banking and manufacturing, showing the diverse economic contributions to the government revenue.
Top 10 Highest Taxpaying States in India 2025
At the state level, Maharashtra is the largest contributor to GST revenue, with ₹29,647 crore paid in the fiscal year 2024-25, driven by its extensive industrial base in Mumbai and Pune.
Top 10 GST revenue-generating states (₹ Crore):
| Rank | State | GST Revenue (₹ Crore) |
| 1 | Maharashtra | 29,647 |
| 2 | Gujarat | 12,421 |
| 3 | Karnataka | 12,411 |
| 4 | Tamil Nadu | 11,790 |
| 5 | Uttar Pradesh | 10,177 |
| 6 | Haryana | 9,228 |
| 7 | Delhi | 7,927 |
| 8 | West Bengal | 6,252 |
| 9 | Rajasthan | 5,998 |
| 10 | Madhya Pradesh | 4,573 |
This distribution reflects the economic hubs primarily in western and southern India, with Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka leading.
Top 10 Highest Taxpaying Politicians in India 2025
(May Differ; Data Made Using Open Source Research) While less publicized, many politicians also stand out as significant taxpayers owing to their diversified portfolios and business interests. Here are noted wealthy politicians recognized in 2025 for notable tax contributions and wealth:
| Rank | Politician Name | Notes/Wealth Source |
| 1 | Savji Dholakia (BJP) | Business and industrialist |
| 2 | DK Shivkumar (INC) | Politician and businessperson |
| 3 | Nakul Nath (INC) | Business heir and politician |
| 4 | Jayadev Galla (TDP) | Politician and businessperson |
| 5 | Parag Shah (BJP) | Politician and Businessperson |
| 6 | Jaya Bachchan (SP) | Film industry and politician |
| 7 | T. Subbarami Reddy (INC) | Industrialist and politician |
(The exact tax paid by these politicians is less publicly available, but wealth and business holdings imply substantive contributions. The list features individuals with significant declared wealth and tax compliance reported in 2025).
Why Do These Taxpayers Matter?
The highest taxpayers, whether individuals, corporations, or states, play a crucial role in India's economic stability and growth by providing the revenue needed for public services, infrastructure, and welfare programs. Their contributions also inspire better tax compliance and boost government reforms.
Conclusion
Taxes form the backbone of a nation’s progress, and the lists of India’s top taxpayers in 2025; whether individuals, companies, states, or politicians highlight the significant role high earners and institutions play in supporting the country’s economy. From Bollywood stars and cricketing legends to industrial giants, politicians and financial powerhouses, these contributors channel a large share of their earnings back into nation-building.
Their tax contributions enable the government to fund essential public services, infrastructure, and social welfare programs that directly impact millions of citizens. At the same time, such transparency and recognition encourage a culture of accountability and compliance among other taxpayers.
Ultimately, the stories behind these top taxpayers are not just about wealth, but about responsibility. They remind us that contributing one’s fair share of taxes is a vital way to strengthen India’s financial foundation and ensure the nation continues to grow on a path of inclusivity and resilience.
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