Federal government proposes to postpone the start of CBS payments

CBS is part of the tax reform and comes into force on January 1, 2027. The new contribution on goods and services is a federal tax that will replace PIS and COFINS. Today, before settling accounts with the Federal Revenue, companies calculate and deduct from the final amount to be paid the taxes that have already been collected by the raw material supplier, for example. With the rules initially established by the tax reform for CBS, the company would first pay the full amount of tax on the sale of the product, and only then would it be entitled to deduct the tax credit that was already paid by the supplier. The credit would only be generated in the month following the CBS collection. Thus, the credit for the contribution paid in January would only be released in February. Less money available for the company's day-to-day expenses.

"In January, you start purchasing your products there, for the first time with emphasis on CBS, and you start making your first sales in January also with emphasis on CBS. The calculation period is January. January is over, you will arrive in February and do the math: what do I have in credit and debit. But with a difference now in relation, for example, to the logic of ICMS, IPI, PIS, Cofins. I will only be able to credit myself, in fact, for the purpose of calculation, if my supplier paid this tax", explains Robinson Barreirinhas, secretary of the Federal Revenue Service.

In practice, the government is giving more time for the transition from the current system. The settlement of credits will be automatic when the new tax collection system, known as split payment, comes into full force in January 2028. The mechanism will separate, at the time of purchase, the value of taxes, with the credits of each link in the production chain.

The electronic invoice for transactions between companies, and the electronic consumer invoice for sales to the final consumer, are fundamental parts of this new billing system. Large companies already operate with them. But, according to the Federal Revenue, small companies opting for Simples Nacional face difficulties. The secretary said that they will have until March 2027 to adapt. In January and February they will be able to issue the documents as they currently do.

It is not yet known what the final CBS rate to be paid by the taxpayer will be. The Federal Court of Auditors set a rate of 11.3%. The value is higher than what the market projected, 9.2%. The Senate has until December 15, 2026 to decide whether to agree or adjust the percentage.