Ok, so we’re gonna level with you here: tax is not the sexiest topic that’s ever been discussed on this website. In fact, the word ‘tax’ alone is probably enough to make you roll your eyes and lose interest.

But wait!

How about the word ‘justice’? That sounds better doesn’t it? More inspiring. More exciting. So here’s how it’s gonna go: while you’re with us on the justice part, we’ll explain the tax bit. Maybe we’ll even try to make it sexy…

At Ctrl.Alt.Shift we’re campaigning for Tax Justice. Why? Because when we think about the steps we can take to end poverty once and for all, we have to look at the international systems in place that are keeping certain countries at the bottom of the economic pecking order.

The fact is, multinational companies operate all over the developing world, with many of them making enormous profits from their activities in the Global South. If we're talking about creating a fairer world, it’s paramount that these companies treat the countries in which they operate and their citizens with respect: financially, socially and environmentally.

'Tax dodging by some unscrupulous companies operating internationally is costing developing countries an eye-watering amount of cash. How much exactly? Christian Aid estimates it’s around US$160bn each year. That figure is more than the Global South receives in international aid from all the richest countries in the world put together'

So it breaks down like this: some multinational corporations dodge the taxes they should pay to the governments of the developing countries in which they operate. Many companies just aren’t paying their way, and despite profiting from their activities in the developing world, they’re simply not giving anything back.

The existence of tax havens (certain countries in which companies pay little or no tax at all by law) and the phenomenal amount of financial activity and trade that passes through these zones, makes the already shadowy system all the more sinister.

Tax dodging by some unscrupulous companies operating internationally is costing developing countries an eye-watering amount of cash. How much exactly? Christian Aid estimates it’s around US$160bn each year. That figure is more than the Global South receives in international aid from all the richest countries in the world put together. 

Yes my friends, we’re talking BIG money.

Revenue from tax is money which could be spent funding education, kitting out hospitals and improving public and community services, and instead it’s being lost through tax dodging and tax havens; financial and economic loopholes that few people fully understand, and even less people are aware of.

It’s becoming clear to campaigners and politicians alike that the billions of valuable tax dollars being lost through shady tax operations is unacceptable, and developing countries are already feeling the effects.

So what’s to be done?
 

At the World Social Forum in Dakar this week, a coalition of international NGOs launched a global campaign demanding that the G20 commits to ending tax haven secrecy when it meets in France later this year. 

Here’s something you can do to help break this system of financial trickery, and expose the injustices that are affecting he lives of so many people who deserve so much better.

TAKE ACTION: email Nicolas Sarkozy, Nick Clegg and David Cameron, and demand that effective action to end tax haven secrecy is firmly on the G20 agenda.

If we’re serious about ending poverty, and striving to create a more just and equal world, we need to challenge the failures, injustices and immoralities that are built  into our international economic operations.

Maybe tax justice will never be sexy, but for those in the developing world, it’s certainly important.

Transforming this shadowy world of underhand deals, financial secrecy and unfair practices isn’t going to be easy. But if we pull together to make some noise about it, those in charge will have to take notice.

Words: Eva Baker

Photos: Christian Aid, Number10.gov.uk, creative commons, and Flickr user europeanpeoplesparty.