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September 6, 2023
2023-1477

Brazilian Government proposes the elimination of interest on net equity deduction

  • If enacted, the bill would eliminate the deduction of interest on net equity paid or credited as a means of remunerating shareholders.
  • Taxpayers should monitor the progress of the bill through Congress and determine the impact the bill's provisions could have on their operations.

On 31 August 2023, the Brazilian Government proposed a bill that would change the corporate income tax system by eliminating the deductibility of Interest on Net Equity (INE) as of 1 January 2024. Nevertheless, the text of the bill does not prevent the deduction of interest accrued to determine the corporate income tax basis related to calendar year 2023, even if paid or credited in calendar year 2024.

Background

INE was introduced in the Brazilian tax system in 1995 by Law 9,249/1995 as a means of attracting new investments to Brazil by creating a deductible mechanism to remunerate the shareholders, and also to compensate loss of value of investments due to local inflation.

Specific conditions that must be observed for the deduction of INE expense to be allowed are:

  • The INE payment capacity corresponds to the annual Long-Term Interest Rate (TJLP) applied to the net equity position of the Brazilian payee on a pro-rata basis.
  • The expense may not exceed the greater of:
    • 50% of the current-year profits (before interest on equity deduction)
    • 50% of the accumulated profits and profit reserves balance

In a nutshell, the calculation of INE capacity should consider, as basis for the TJLP, specific accounts of the Brazilian company's net equity, such as (i) paid-in capital, (ii) capital reserves, (iii) profit reserves, (iv) treasury shares, and (v) accumulated losses (art. 9 of Law 9,249/95, amended Law 12,973/2014).

Contrary to dividends, which are exempt from withholding tax, INE is generally subject to 15% withholding tax rate on the date it is paid or accrued, while being deductible at the combined nominal corporate income tax rate of 34% (composed of a 25% income tax (IRPJ) and 9% social contribution on net profit (CSLL)).

Effective date

If enacted this year, the new rule would be effective 1 January 2024. Both chambers of the National Congress (i.e., Chamber of Deputies and Senate) still need to discuss and approve the bill in different voting rounds.

The legislative process usually takes time in Brazil, and the current wording of the bill may still be amended during the next steps of this process.

Implications

Taxpayers in Brazil should evaluate whether they need to act before year-end in light of the expected changes to Brazilian income tax legislation. Considerations in this evaluation would include waiting periods and other aspects that could prevent smooth implementation of changes in structure/activities, or of payments within their current INE capacity.

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For additional information with respect to this Alert, please contact the following:

EY Assessoria Empresarial Ltda, São Paulo

Ernst & Young LLP (United States), Latin American Business Center, New York

Ernst & Young Tax Co., Latin American Business Center, Japan & Asia Pacific

Published by NTD's Tax Technical Knowledge Services group; Carolyn Wright, legal editor

 

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