Each year, countries lose an estimated $492 billion to tax abuse, undermining resources needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, especially in health, education, and infrastructure.
Countries in the global south are disproportionately affected by illicit financial flows and tax dodging — and achieving global tax justice is one of the biggest challenges of our times. A key test for 2025 will be whether wealthy nations can reconcile their interests with the growing push for a fairer, more inclusive tax system.
The past year has marked a pivotal moment in the global push for tax justice, with significant strides made toward reshaping the international tax system. In July, G20 finance ministers reached a historic agreement to “engage cooperatively to ensure that ultra-high-net-worth individuals are effectively taxed,” a breakthrough that followed years of advocacy from tax justice groups. This victory was largely driven by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose own experience with poverty has fueled his commitment to challenging the tax burdens faced by ordinary citizens versus the ultra-wealthy.
About the author
Maria Ron Balsera
Maria Ron Balsera is the executive director of the Center for Economic and Social Rights. She is a feminist leader with over 15 years of experience in research and advocacy in economic justice, human rights, education, privatisation, and intersectionality. She holds a Ph.D. in Education and Human Development from Bielefeld University.
