Brazil: Increased tax rates on capital gains effective from January 1 2017

Alvaro Pereira		Mark Conomy

On April 29 2016, the Interpretative Declaratory Act 3/2016 (ADI 3/2016) was published, providing for the Brazilian Federal Revenue Authorities' (RFB) position that the increased progressive tax rates in relation to capital gains derived by individuals (and non-residents) should only apply from January 1 2017.

By way of background, Law 13,259/2016 was recently introduced providing that capital gains earned by individuals (and non-residents) arising on the alienation of Brazilian assets and rights of whatever nature are subject to progressive rates varying from 15% to 22.5% (depending on the amount of the gain).

Law 13,259/2016 provided that the law entered into effect from the date of publication producing effects from January 1 2016. This created some uncertainty in Brazil around the constitutionality of the particular amendments that result in an increase in tax due. ADI 3/2016 provides that the articles of Law 13,259/2016 dealing with the increase in capital gains tax rates should only be applicable from January 1 2017.

ADI 3/2016 is a welcome development, providing clarity for taxpayers in relation to the capital gains tax rates that should be applied to transactions undertaken in 2016.

Alvaro Pereira (alvaro.pereira@br.pwc.com) and Mark Conomy (conomy.mark@br.pwc.com)

PwC

Website: www.pwc.com.br