For the first time, King Charles reveals his tax record after a few days economy

aljazeera.net
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Buckingham Palace informed British media yesterday, Saturday, that King Charles III will reveal his personal tax bill, in a move aimed at enhancing transparency, at a time when the financial affairs of the British royal family are subject to heightened public debate.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman told the British News Agency that Charles would be the first monarch to share his tax information.

“The decision to do this in his capacity as king came based on the express desire of the king himself, as part of the adjustments and adaptations that have been made since his accession to the throne,” the spokesman said. “Our goal is to explain all the details of royal finances in a way that promotes clarity and accessibility, while also placing them in their historical and constitutional context,” the same spokesman explained.

Under British law, the country’s monarchs are exempt from paying certain taxes, although they have been paying some duties on a voluntary basis for decades.

British monarchs also have no obligation to disclose their tax records and invoices, but recent scandals linked to former Prince Andrew have put a strong spotlight on the royal family’s finances.

The BBC reported that King Charles’ tax information will be published next Thursday as part of the annual royal financial accounts.

ASCOT, ENGLAND - JUNE 20: Queen Camilla and King Charles III smile as they attend day five of Royal Ascot 2026 at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2026 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)
British law exempts the country’s kings from paying certain taxes and does not require them to disclose their tax records (Getty)

British law

Under British law, royalty do not have to pay income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax. However, since 1993, starting with the late Queen Elizabeth II, they have paid the first two taxes (income and capital gains tax) voluntarily.

Capital gains tax is a tax imposed on the net profit achieved as a result of selling a capital asset, such as stocks, real estate, bonds, or digital currencies, after its value has risen above the original purchase price.

Before Charles ascended the throne in 2022, he revealed the amount of taxes he paid when he was Prince of Wales.

The royal family has sought to repair its image since information was revealed that Andrew, Charles’ younger brother, had relations with the late American billionaire convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Government auditors revealed this month that Prince Andrew made income from subletting cottages while paying a “small, nominal rent” for a mansion for more than two decades.

Sovereign grant

The British Treasury allocates an annual payment known as the “Sovereign Grant” to cover the official expenses of the royal family.

The King of Britain’s sources of private income include the historic real estate portfolio of the Duchy of Lancaster, which is a large and diverse portfolio of lands, real estate, and investments located in western England.

The Duchy of Lancaster’s properties generated an annual income of 26.8 million pounds sterling ($35.6 million) between 2024 and 2025.

Last year, the Public Accounts Committee of the British Parliament launched an investigation into the arrangements for residential properties provided to members of the royal family.



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