The Ability To Contribute And The Pursuit Of Tax Justice:

Historical Reflections And Challenges Of Tax Reforms In Brazil

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11117/rdp.v22i114.8296

Keywords:

Contributive capacity, Equality, Tax Reforms

Abstract

The present study has as scope the analysis of the principle of contributory capacity within tax  law, with special emphasis on its historical evolution, constitutional rationale and its applicability in the  national legal system. This principle, which aims to adapt taxation to the economic conditions of taxpayers,  based on tax isonomy, assumes a preponderant role in achieving fiscal justice, from its origins in antiquity  until its consecration in modern constitutions. In Brazil, it was explained by the Federal Constitution of  1988, in article 145, §1, as a bulwark of a tax system oriented to the mitigation of social inequalities. The  analysis undertaken reveals that the implementation of the principle over time has been permeated by  advances and challenges, especially in the face of tax reforms, highlighting the recent amendments  introduced by Constitutional Amendment 132/2023 and Complementary Law 214/2025. Initially, we  proceed to a historical retrospective of the concept of contributory capacity, to then address its application  in the Brazilian context, highlighting the main concepts that interact with its interpretation, particularly its  correlation with fundamental rights and the principle of equality. The methodology used is descriptive interpretative, based on doctrinal sources, national and international legislation, in order to evaluate the role  of the principle of contributory capacity in the implementation of a robust and substantially equitable tax  justice.

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Author Biographies

Cristiane Araújo de Faria, Instituto Brasileiro de Ensino, Desenvolvimento e Pesquisa (IDP). Brasília. Brasil.

PhD student in Law at the Brazilian Institute of Education, Development and Research - IDP. Master in Law from the Catholic University of Brasília - UCB. Postgraduate in Business Finance from Faculdade Getúlio Vargas. Postgraduate in Tax Management from FORTIUM College. Graduated in Law from UNICEUB; in Administration – qualification in Foreign Trade from the University Center for Management Sciences – UNA; and in Economic Sciences from the Federal University of Minas Gerais - UFMG. Tax Auditor for the Federal District Revenue since 2001, currently holds the position of Special Advisor to the Undersecretary of Revenue of the Federal District..

Roberto Araújo de Faria, Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC). Brasília. Brasil.

Graduated in Agronomy from the Federal University of Viçosa (1995), master's degree in Agricultural Engineering from the Federal University of Viçosa (1998) and PhD in Rural Economics from the Federal University of Viçosa (2002). From 2003 to 2007 he was an effective professor at the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, participating in various administrative positions such as coordinator of PIBIC/CNPq, coordinator of the Agronomy course, coordinator of Undergraduate Education, President of the Student Admissions Committee (Entrance Exam) and lastly he was Pro-Rector of Undergraduate Education. He is currently an administrative analyst at the National Civil Aviation Agency requested by the Presidency of the Republic and works in the Secretariat of Strategic Affairs. He has experience in the area of ​​Economics, with an emphasis on Agrarian and Natural Resources Economics, working mainly on the following topics: geographic information systems (GIS), supplementary irrigation and multivariate statistics.

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Published

2025-12-14

How to Cite

Araújo de Faria, C., & Araújo de Faria, R. (2025). The Ability To Contribute And The Pursuit Of Tax Justice: : Historical Reflections And Challenges Of Tax Reforms In Brazil. Direito Público, 22(114). https://doi.org/10.11117/rdp.v22i114.8296

Issue

Section

Economic Transformations and Tax Reforms: Impacts, Debates and Future Directions