Tax is a mechanism for direct redistribution: when applied progressively, it chops money off the top of the economy (by taxing the wealthiest more) and pumps it back in across society, via infrastructure spending, public services and social security. Tax justice is therefore vital in the fight to secure our human rights and create a more equal society. 

However, the redistributive benefits of tax currently stop at the border. Even though tax is seen as vital to improve equality within countries, there are currently no taxes that move money between countries. This leaves global inequalities untouched, and does nothing to rectify the injustices and imbalances that have accrued over the past few centuries. We are clearly missing a trick: if tax is the main way in which we guarantee human rights and secure equality nationally, why not use it internationally for the same goals?

Equal Right is working with partners around the world to develop the new concept of international taxation. This is envisaged as an additional layer of tax that would complement existing national and local taxes, to ensure that human rights are secured and equality is supported worldwide. We are leading this work by exploring three potential taxes:

• An international wealth tax

• An international financial transactions tax (FTT)

• An international carbon tax (which we call a carbon charge
  - see our climate & resources page for more details)

To find out more, use the buttons below to read our briefings on international wealth tax and FTT. If you'd like to discuss these topics further, please click the button to join our working group or contact us at info@equalright.org