Senate approves cut in tax benefits and increases taxation on bets, fintechs and JCP
The Senate approved this Wednesday (17) a project that reduces federal tax benefits in several sectors by 10% and increases taxation on bets, fintechs and Interest on Equity (JCP).
The text, which had been approved hours earlier by the Chamber of Deputies, is now being approved by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The cuts will not reach constitutional immunities, such as religious entities, political parties and books, and have other exceptions.
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Approved by 48 votes to 25, the project was changed during an earlier vote in the Constitution and Justice Commission (CCJ)
In an interview with journalists on Tuesday night, before the final approval, the Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddad, said that the ministry presented scenarios for the construction of the project so that the fiscal gain would be R$20 billion per year, enough to close the 2026 Budget.
Calculations by Warren Rena, however, point to net revenue (after transfers from states and municipalities) of R$9.7 billion in 2026, considering flexibility made in the text and the legal deadline of 90 days for cuts to take effect.
The reductions will involve benefits relating to PIS/Pasep, Cofins, Corporate Income Tax (IRPJ), Social Contribution on Net Profit (CSLL), Import Tax, Tax on Industrialized Products (IPI) and Social Security Contribution.
The way in which the cut is applied will depend on the benefit model, and there may be an additional rate, expansion of the tax calculation base, limitation of tax credits, among other possibilities provided for in the project.
During the process, parliamentarians decided to save benefits such as the exemption from payroll in sectors of the economy, which already has a deadline for a gradual reduction until extinction, Prouni tax expenses and those related to the industrial policy of information and communication technologies and semiconductors.
The approved text also determines that if the total value of tax incentives exceeds the equivalent of 2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the granting, expansion or extension of benefits will be prohibited.
Tax hike
The text also included tax increases. The rate on gross revenue from fixed-odd bets will increase from the current 12% to 13% in 2026 and 14% in 2027, reaching 15% in 2028, with half of this increase going to social security and half to health actions.
Another point is the increase from 15% to 17.5% of Income Tax levied on Interest on Equity distributed by companies to partners.
The text also increases the Social Contribution on Net Profit (CSLL) on certain financial institutions, with gradations.
Payment institutions, over-the-counter market administrators and stock exchanges, among others, will have a tax rate increased from 9% to 12% until December 2027 and 15% from 2028 onwards. Credit, financing and investment companies and capitalization companies will collect 17.5% until December 31, 2027, from 15% currently, and 20% from 2028 onwards.
