The progressive taxation of income and wealth is a more politically debated than
philosophically elaborated topic. This paper aims to show how progressive taxes on
income and wealth within a welfare state can be justified from the perspective of social
justice as it is conceived by David Miller. To keep the argument simple it is argued that
the reduction and elimination of poverty is a necessary aim for the welfare state as it is
demanded by social justice. Progressive taxes on income and wealth are then justified for
the aim and in the height as it is necessary to eliminate or at least alleviate poverty. It can
also be shown that the progressive taxation of income and wealth is a simple and efficient
way to reach this goal as it does not need to be compensated.
