Over 50 organisations, including the Church of Scotland, have joined the Tax Justice Scotland group.
With Scotland’s finances “beyond breaking point,” the coalition says that small changes to the tax system aren’t enough. They are calling for an “overhaul” and believe Scotland can lead a global movement for progressive tax reform.
In a letter to Scotland's political leaders, the group urges them to “be bold, decisive, and willing to step up.”
The campaign comes ahead of Finance Secretary Shona Robison unveiling the 2025-26 budget on 4th December.
However, senior Tory politicians have criticised the Church of Scotland for joining the campaign, calling it “entirely unsuitable” for the Church to engage in politics. They accused the Kirk of ignoring the views of its congregations and of double standards, as churches are exempt from many taxes due to their charitable status.
A Church of Scotland spokesperson said: "The Church is committed to speaking into our political debate about compassion and justice, to support the development of public values which promote social cohesion and the common good.
“We work with, and alongside, people across Scotland, including those who live in some of the most deprived communities and struggle to make ends meet.
“It’s in this context that we think now is the right time for civil society to start asking questions about the best way, we as a society, can raise and spend tax.
“In adding our voice to this campaign, we are calling for a wider and deeper conversation which should involve everybody, not just the usual voices of thinktanks, politicians and commentators.
“The Church is directly impacted as an employer by the increase to employers’ national insurance contributions and has members who are affected by tax and spend changes, including the recent UK announcements about inheritance tax affecting farmers and the cuts in winter fuel payments.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said that the budget will focus on priorities such as ending child poverty, growing the economy, investing in public services, and supporting the path to net zero. They also argued that Scotland has the UK’s most progressive income tax system, which raised an additional £1.5 billion for public services in 2024-25.