On 08/31, ABES promoted the webinar ABES NOVOS TEMPOS: How is the competitiveness of the Brazilian software sector with the new tax reform?, which had the support of the Movimento Brasil, País Digital; in addition to the companies Bertha Capital, BR Angels, Bossa Nova Investimentos, Kyvo and Startup Farm - partners of the ABES Startup Internship Program.
Economist Everardo Maciel was the main panelist. He has a career dedicated to studies in the area, having been Secretary of the Federal Revenue (1995-2002). He is currently a tax consultant and professor at the Brasiliense Institute of Public Law - IDP and the TRF-1 School of Magistrates, in addition to being a member of the International Academy of Law and Economics and the Advisory Council of the CNJ - National Council of Justice. The moderation was carried out by Leonardo Barreto, political scientist, doctor at UnB and director of Vector Análise.
The participants were welcomed by Francisco Camargo, president of ABES's deliberative council, who said that all tax reform proposals have a profound impact on the IT services sector. On the other hand, he recalled that the sector is fundamental to guarantee Brazilian competitiveness now and in the future, and it is necessary to prevent Brazil from losing the “tram of history”.
When talking about the Tax Reform, Everardo commented that there is a huge degree of ignorance and the terms are used as if they represent a “magic potion”. He also said that tax systems everywhere in the world are political-cultural constructions, marked by conflicts of interest, naturally complex, subject to different interpretations over time and surrounded by some myths. It is up to tax administrators to make these systems operable.
In his assessment, the reform proposals need to be accompanied by studies, and it is also necessary to delve into the hidden agendas behind the suggestions, such as the idea of the union of the PIS / Confins collection, which are basically the same taxes, but are distinguished for the destination of the collected resources.
Everardo considers that it is not the time to carry out a Tax Reform, in view of the pandemic, it is important to first resolve the problems generated by the economic crisis. He cited as an example the postponement of the collection of federal taxes in the period, which affected the Union's cash, but it is not yet known whether companies will have money when this period ends.
The economist also discussed the concept of fiscal war vs. fiscal competition; on the judicialization of tax issues and how to reduce litigation; the impacts of bureaucratism; about the complexities in the ICMS rates, among other issues.
Watch the full webinar at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ecmUrLM6Pw&list=PL2X1JJqBpAkOvAJ7KS25L7wFzIUUQHMih
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