This morning, entities from the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, with the support of Senator Izalci Lucas, held a breakfast meeting at the Federal Senate to discuss tax reform proposals. Representatives from entities such as the Assespro Federation, ABES, Abranet, Brasscom, Fenainfo, ACATE and Sinesp participated, as well as influential politicians such as Senators Izalci Lucas (PSDB-DF) and Eduardo Gomes (PL-TO) and Federal Deputy Ricardo Ayres ( REP-TO).
The event focused on supporting the amendments presented to the Political Reform proposal (PEC 45/2019), which suggest the inclusion of activities in the digital services sector, Internet, innovation, information technology and IT and similar sectors in the reduced rate in 60% of the standard rate (art. 9, § 1) – amendments numbers 81, 121, 172, 237 and 367.
Senator Izalci defended the approval of these amendments, concerned about maintaining the operations of companies in the sector in the country “[if] Let's play and they'll go, there's no need to change, it's just via the internet and it's the sector that generates the most employment and jobs with the best pay”, stated the senator, adding that “The sector has already proven that it has generated more jobs and paid more taxes through payroll tax relief. So we have a different treatment and we need to put Brazil in the digital world”.
Senator Eduardo Gomes praised the event and stated that “Today we are making a commitment here based on a breakfast we had with several parliamentarians and the National Associations of IT Companies. Focusing mainly on tax reform, but also on other matters in the sector being processed here in the Federal Senate”. The senator also spoke about other issues related to the sector that are being processed in the Federal Senate, such as the regulation of Artificial Intelligence, under his rapporteurship.
During breakfast, several proposals and suggestions were presented to improve the business environment for ICT companies in Brazil, aiming to stimulate innovation and economic growth. The event represents another important step in the search for solutions that promote the sustainable development of the Information and Communication Technology sector in the country.
Sector entities have been actively involved in discussions about the reform and even presented a manifesto on PEC 45/2019 last month. The Proposed Amendment to the Constitution was approved by the Chamber of Deputies and is currently being processed in the Federal Senate. Considering that the text approved by the Chamber does not allow the crediting of the largest input of ICT activity – labor and provides for a standard rate of 25%, the sector warns that the approval will impact the increase in prices for the final consumer between 12% and 16% for internet services and 7% to 11% for software and IT.
Currently, the averages paid by the IT sector are 2% (ISS) and 3.65% (PIS/COFINS). As a result of this increase, the impact on the access of the population and companies in other sectors to technological products will be evident.
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