About us

Fair Tax Foundation

Tax contributions are a key part of the positive social and economic impact made by business – helping the communities in which they operate to deliver valuable public services and to build the infrastructure that allows business to thrive.

Via our Fair Tax Mark accreditation scheme, we seek to encourage and recognise businesses that pay the right amount of corporate income tax at the right time and in the right place.

We believe that businesses that pay their taxes willingly, fairly and transparently should be celebrated and rewarded.

The focus of the Fair Tax Foundation’s consideration is corporate income tax. Businesses are subjected to many different types of tax, but corporation tax has an importance way beyond the revenues it raises. As argued by the Tax Justice Network: “It holds the whole tax system together. It curbs political and economic inequalities and helps rebalance distorted economies.”

How we work

The Fair Tax Foundation was launched in 2014, and was developed by a team of tax justice, corporate responsibility and ethical consumerism experts.

Our Fair Tax Mark accreditation scheme is the gold standard of responsible tax conduct, bridging the gap between corporate responsibility and the wider tax justice movement.

We work:

    • with technical experts and other stakeholders to outline the standards that businesses need to reach in order to become Fair Tax Mark accredited
    • with businesses of all sizes, from independent high street shops to large multinationals, to help them achieve those standards
      to raise public awareness of the Fair Tax Mark and accredited businesses in order to bring Fair Tax businesses and concerned consumers together
    • to provide bespoke research and advisory services in related areas

Our structure

The Fair Tax Foundation Limited operates as a not-for-profit social enterprise. It is registered in England as a Community Benefit Society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 (registration: 32308R).

You can learn more about our staff and board, and the Technical Advisory Group that helps to develop our assessment criteria.

Grant support

The majority of the Fair Tax Foundation’s income is derived from trading activity and the assessment and licensing of business to our Fair Tax Mark accreditation standards; however, grant funding has also made a significant contribution to our growth and impact.

In particular, we are deeply appreciative of the crucial support we have received from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, the Joffe Charitable Trust, Friends Provident Foundation, Funding for Social Change, the Barrow Cadbury Trust, Luminate, Trust for London and Paracletos.

We believe accreditation standards, think tanks and public policy campaigns should be open and honest as to their sources of grant funding. We disclose this in a systematic fashion (taking account of Transparify guidance) alongside our annual Financial Statements.

Our investors

When we launched in 2014, we gave interested people the opportunity to become investor members. It’s thanks in large part to their support and contributions that the Fair Tax Foundation exists today. We’re not currently accepting new investors. If you’d like to be kept up-to-date on this, please be sure to join our mailing list.

Financial transparency

Our Financial Statements:

– 2021/22
– 2020/21
– 2019/20
– 2018/19
– 2017/18

You can also view our governing document.

Become Fair Tax Mark Accredited

Latest News

Responsible tax conduct is an increasingly important ESG consideration

This is a guest blog post from Natasha Turner, Global Editor at ESG Clarity, for Fair Tax Week 2023. Fair Tax Week 2023 (8th-18th June) is a recognition of the businesses and organisations that are proud to promote responsible tax conduct, and a celebration of the positive contribution this makes to society. Register now to hear Natasha, and speakers from …

Read more

What makes a tax haven?

This is a guest blog post from Juliette Garside, Deputy Business Editor at The Guardian, for Fair Tax Week 2023. Fair Tax Week 2023 (8th-18th June) is a recognition of the businesses and organisations that are proud to promote responsible tax conduct, and a celebration of the positive contribution this makes to society. Register now to hear Juliette and a …

Read more

Why do we need a Tax Justice Sunday?

This is a guest blog post from Sarah Edwards, Executive Director at JustMoney Movement, for Fair Tax Week 2023. Fair Tax Week 2023 (8th-18th June) is a recognition of the businesses and organisations that are proud to promote responsible tax conduct, and a celebration of the positive contribution this makes to society. Organisations and businesses often use Fair Tax Week …

Read more