Government studies 0.4% tax on electronic payments

If the government raised the possibility of creating a 0.2% tax on electronic payments last week, it now considers working at a higher rate of up to 0.4%.
The goal is to clear the payroll of companies by up to 25%, according to the Ministry of Economy.
When the possible 0.2% rate was presented, Economy Minister Paulo Guedes argued that the tax would allow the reduction of collections in other areas, especially on payroll.
However, in the government's calculations, the collection obtained annually with the rate of 0.2% would be approximately R$ 120 billion, an amount sufficient only to free companies in the payment of tax on up to one minimum wage (R$ 1,045).
With a rate of 0.4%, the annual collection would theoretically rise to R$ 240 billion, which would allow the expansion of the exemption to other salary ranges.
The government has another reason to consider applying a higher rate: the tax on electronic payments -- which has been dubbed the "new CPMF" -- would also serve to finance Renda Brasil, a social program that can replace Bolsa Família.
According to Guilherme Afif Domingos, special adviser to the Ministry of Economy, the proposal for the new tax is expected to be presented to Congress in August.
But, as the issue has encountered great resistance - the mayor, Rodrigo Maia (DEM-RJ), expressed opposition to the creation of the tax more than once, for example - it is possible that the government will send the proposal with the rate of 0.2%, but considering increasing the percentage in case of need for higher collection.
To move the proposal forward, the government is likely to reinforce the argument that payroll tax exemption stemming from the new tax will spur job creation.