A confidential Franco-German paper, seen by the Daily Telegraph, reveals that the financial transaction tax is seen in Berlin and Paris as the first step to giving the EU a new power to "coordinate" taxation.
The secret text also links existing European Commission proposals on energy taxation and a common method for calculating corporate tax to the push for new EU powers, heralding a major battle over sovereignty this spring.
"European institutions and member states should accelerate the process of tax co-ordination," the Franco-German paper argues. "In particular the negotiation of the European Commission proposals on energy tax directive, common consolidated corporate tax base and common system of financial transaction tax should be accelerated."
The taxation blueprint has reinforced British fears about the direction that the EU is being pushed in by the eurozone crisis and sets the scene for a new confrontation with David Cameron at a European summit in two weeks.
The Prime Minister has vowed to veto the European "Tobin Tax" and his "red line" will be underlined by the Franco-German proposals which highlights the financial levy as the thin end of the wedge on EU taxation powers.
"In order to set the stage for enhanced tax co-ordination, France and Germany express their support for the European Commission's proposal on a common system of financial transaction tax," the paper said.
In order to push the EU towards greater tax "harmonisation", Germany and France will, later this month, announce proposals to harmonise their corporate tax rates.
Britain has been always hostile to commission plans for an energy tax directive and a "common consolidated corporate tax base" because both are seen as eroding national sovereignty opening the door giving to the EU setting taxation rates.
EU officials have said that the Franco-German push will give a new lease of life to Brussels for new energy taxes that will set higher minimum road and heating fuel duties based on carbon emissions.
British and other European industries are concerned that the legislation will lead to increases in the level of duty on red diesel, damaging competitiveness during a recession.
Eurogas, which represents the European gas industry, concerned because the commission proposals would set a minimum tax rates for natural gas at "eight and half-fold higher than the current levels".
Douglas Carswell, the Conservative MP for Clacton, said that tax competition "is a vital way of ensuring dynamism and competitiveness" and that Mr Cameron must block any attempts to stop Britain using lower taxation rates to win investment.
"Tax harmonisation would create even more euro-sclerosis," he said. "Tax harmonisation between France and Germany is a mutual suicide pact, Britain should have no part of it."
Nigel Farage, the leader of Ukip, said: "This move will either force Cameron to cave in to their demands, or drive Britain out of the EU for good. Which is it that they want?".
The Telegraph
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