In a nation where cricket is nothing less than a religion, Virat Kohli has once again proven why he is one of India’s most cherished sporting icons. But this time, his achievement isn’t on the field. According to a report released by Fortune India, Kohli was the highest-taxpaying sportsperson in India for the financial year 2023-24, contributing a whopping ₹66 crore in taxes.
Fortune India taxpayer report
Virat Kohli is often regarded as one of the finest cricketers of the modern era. Known for his aggressive yet elegant batting style, Kohli has been the backbone of the Indian cricket team for more than a decade.
However, Kohli’s influence isn’t limited to just cricket. Off the field, he has transformed into a marketing powerhouse. Kohli’s contribution of ₹66 crore in taxes for FY24 set a new benchmark for sportspersons in India. To put this in perspective, his tax payment is roughly three times more than the costliest player in the IPL, Mitchell Starc, who was sold for ₹24.75 crore.
Comparison with Bollywood stars
Among all Indian celebrities, Virat Kohli ranked fifth, trailing behind Bollywood heavyweights like Shah Rukh Khan (₹92 crore), Vijay (₹80 crore), Salman Khan (₹75 crore), and Amitabh Bachchan (₹71 crore).
Comparison with Other Sportspersons
Kohli’s closest competitor in the realm of sportsperson taxpayers is none other than MS Dhoni, who paid ₹38 crore in taxes during the same period.
Another legend of Indian cricket, Sachin Tendulkar, also made it to the list, paying ₹28 crore in taxes. Although retired from active play, Tendulkar’s brand remains strong, contributing to his continued earnings.
Sourav Ganguly, another former Indian captain, also made the list of top taxpayers, contributing ₹23 crore. His transition from player to administrator has kept him in the limelight.
Hardik Pandya, an all-rounder known for his explosive style of play, paid ₹13 crore in taxes, making him one of the top contributors among active cricketers. Rishabh Pant, despite being out due to injury, paid ₹10 crore in taxes, indicating his earnings through endorsements and IPL contracts.
Full list of highest taxpaying Indian celebrities
Shah Rukh Khan- ₹92 crore
‘Talapathy’ Vijay- ₹80 crore
Salman Khan- ₹75 crore
Amitabh Bachchan- ₹71 crore
Virat Kohli- ₹66 crore
Ajay Devgn- ₹42 crore
Mahendra Singh Dhoni- ₹38 crore
Ranbir Kapoor- ₹36 crore
Sachin Tendulkar- ₹28 crore
Hrithik Roshan- ₹28 crore
Kapil Sharma- ₹26 crore
Sourav Ganguly- ₹23 crore
Kareena Kapoor- ₹20 crore
Shahid Kapoor- ₹14 crore
Mohanlal- ₹14 crore
Allu Arjun- ₹14 crore
Hardik Pandya- ₹13 crore
Kiara Advani- ₹12 crore
Katrina Kaif- ₹11 crore
Pankaj Tripathi- ₹11 crore
Amir Khan- ₹10 crore
Rishabh Pant- ₹10 crore
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