Correcting the IR table will require compensation, says new Revenue Secretary

The new secretary of the Federal Revenue Service, Robinson Barreirinhas, said this Tuesday (17th), in an interview with TV Folha, that the agency will reach or even exceed the collection targets foreseen in the package of fiscal measures announced last week by Minister Fernando Haddad (Farm).

He also stated that, if the government takes the political decision to extend the fuel exemption, the Federal Revenue Service will present compensation measures, as mandated by the Fiscal Responsibility Law.

Regarding the correction of the Income Tax table, he said that Haddad had already pointed out the difficulty of accommodating this in the Budget and that the change also requires compensation via an increase in collection or a reduction in expenses. Lula promised exemption for those earning up to R$5,000 a month.

This Tuesday (17), in a panel on Brazil at the World Economic Forum, Haddad said that the government intends to vote on a reform of the IR (Income Tax) in the second half, slicing the tax reform. Among the measures would be the collection of income tax on profits and dividends

Barreirinhas gave an exclusive live broadcast interview for newspaper subscribers, conducted by special reporter Fernando Canzian.

“If there is an extension [nos combustíveis], another tax benefit, a political decision in this sense, we will give our technical opinion, also because the Responsibility Law requires it, impact studies, compensatory measures. This being the political decision, we will implement the compensatory measures. If a benefit is given, it must have a source of revenue, a reduction in expenses”, said the secretary.

He recalled that the exemption from federal taxes on gasoline and alcohol was extended until the end of February, while the benefit on diesel will run until December 2023.

Regarding the tax package, the main point related to the Revenue is the “Zero Litigation” Program, which allows the renegotiation of tax debts for individuals and companies, among other measures.

The government estimates that it will obtain BRL 35 billion in extraordinary revenues this year with the program, in addition to a permanent gain of BRL 15 billion from the reduction of conflicts with taxpayers.

“It’s a program similar to what we did in the city hall of São Paulo [quando Haddad era prefeito, de 2012 a 2016] very successfully. A good part of our effort is to bring that taxpayer who already owes the Tax Authorities to pay these amounts. If a small portion of this goes into revenue, a good part of our goal is already solved.”

Regarding other tax benefits, he said that the Revenue carries out an important work of analyzing the concession of some of them.

“We are not suggesting the suppression of benefits, but we are analyzing the granting of some of them, as many depend on infralegal acts, administrative decisions, to verify whether that beneficiary is really entitled to that benefit. There is important work being carried out in this regard in this regard. time.”

Barreirinhas is a lawyer and was Secretary of Legal Affairs for the city of São Paulo. He will play a key role in discussions on tax reform — one of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s campaign promises.

“Our mission is to deliver the tax reform in this fiscal year. It is a debate that is quite mature. Total convergence in a Federation is not easy, but we know the arguments for and against the proposals that are there”, stated the secretary in relation to the reform consumption taxes.