Latin America Study Proposes Wealth Tax on Super‑Rich, Forecasts $24 Billion a Year

Overview

• International Tax Observatory researchers released a Brazil‑commissioned study that models a minimum annual wealth tax on fortunes above $100 million at 1%, 2%, or 3%.
• A 2% rate across Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay would raise about $24 billion each year and would apply to a few thousand people in a region of roughly 500 million.
• For Brazil, the study estimates $6.1 billion in yearly revenue and says the effective rate on the top 0.001% would rise from 19.7% to about 50%, exceeding the national average of 42.5%.
• The report finds Latin American billionaire wealth reached $700 billion in 2026, a 498% nominal jump since 2000 or 206% after adjusting for U.S. inflation, based on Forbes data and stated caveats.
• The authors argue governments can enforce the levy with anti‑exit rules and note evidence of limited tax‑driven emigration, while Zucman says a 2% floor would only slightly trim typical 8% annual returns.