✓ verbatim from the press
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), a presidential pre-candidate, stated at a National Confederation of Industry (CNI) event on Monday (22) that he intends to suspend the tax reform regulation if elected. According to him, the measure would provide time to implement "a real tax reform, with a reduction in the tax burden over the years, predictability, and fiscal adjustment." The proposal was questioned by business leaders present, who defended the gains of the current reform. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"[Eu] vou suspender a regulamentação da reforma tributária. É para dar tempo de fazermos uma reforma tributária de verdade, com redução de carga tributária ao longo dos anos, previsibilidade e ajuste fiscal"
The tax reform was approved as a constitutional amendment by the National Congress in 2023, and its regulation was debated and approved in 2024. The new system replaces five taxes—ICMS, ISS, PIS, Cofins, and IPI—with a dual Value Added Tax (VAT), composed of the Contribution on Goods and Services (CBS, federal) and the Tax on Goods and Services (IBS, state and municipal), plus a Selective Tax on products harmful to health and the environment. Implementation began in 2026 with accounting tests; starting in 2027, current taxes will be gradually replaced. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"A reforma tributária foi aprovada pelo Congresso Nacional na forma de emenda constitucional em 2023. No ano seguinte, os parlamentares debateram e aprovaram sua regulamentação. O novo sistema substitui ICMS, ISS, PIS, Cofins e IPI por um modelo de Imposto sobre Valor Agregado (IVA)"
"O IVA será composto por três tributos: a Contribuição sobre Bens e Serviços (CBS), destinada à União; o Imposto sobre Bens e Serviços (IBS), destinado a Estados e municípios; e o Imposto Seletivo, aplicado sobre produtos considerados nocivos à saúde e ao meio ambiente"
Flávio stated that he voted against the regulation because he considers the estimated VAT rate—close to 27% when CBS and IBS are combined—"one of the highest in the world," and attributed the percentage to concessions made to sectors with greater influence in Congress. "The sectors that were stronger managed to be excluded from the tax reform rules. And this burden ends up being even greater for those who remained inside," he said. The final text provides for a 60% reduction in the rate for sectors such as health, agriculture, and education, a 30% discount for regulated professionals, and total exemption for basic food basket items. ✓
Press quotes (3)
"as alíquotas dos novos impostos IBS e CBS, que, somadas, chegarão a 26% quando concluída a transição"
"Os setores que foram mais fortes conseguiram se incluir fora das regras da reforma tributária. E essa carga acaba ficando ainda maior para quem ficou dentro"
"O texto final da regulamentação prevê redução de 60% da alíquota para setores como saúde, agropecuária, comunicação, ensino básico e superior e produtos de higiene e limpeza, entre outros. Profissionais liberais regulamentados terão desconto de 30%, enquanto os itens da cesta básica contarão com isenção total"
Former CNI president and former minister Armando Monteiro, present at the event, questioned the suspension proposal. "While regretting some concessions that were made to ensure the political passage of the proposal, the main axes were preserved. In the industry's view, this reform presents undeniable gains, including simplification, transparency, and cost reduction for companies," said Monteiro. Flávio reaffirmed his position, saying he had made amendments during processing so that "the VAT would be around 20%, without making so many concessions." ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Ainda que lamentando algumas concessões que foram feitas para garantir o trânsito político da proposta, os eixos principais foram preservados. Na visão da indústria, essa reforma apresenta ganhos indiscutíveis, inclusive simplificação, a transparência e a redução dos custos das empresas"
"Fizemos emenda para que o IVA ficasse na casa dos 20%, sem fazer tantas concessões"
In addition to the tax reform, Flávio criticized the Supreme Federal Court, saying the Court "looks more like a police station" and accused ministers of interfering in the electoral process. He also criticized Finance Minister Fernando Haddad, whom he called "Taxadd," and said the Lula government "is loved by banks" for maintaining high interest rates. Pre-candidates Romeu Zema (Novo) and Ronaldo Caiado (PSD) also participated in the CNI event. ✓
Press quotes (3)
"O Supremo hoje parece mais uma delegacia de polícia do que uma Corte Constitucional"
"Flávio Bolsonaro foi aplaudido quando chamou o ex-ministro da Fazenda Fernando Haddad de "Taxadd"
"Um governo que diz lutar pelos pobres, o governo Lula é amado pelos bancos"
Flávio Bolsonaro stated at a CNI event on June 22, 2026, that he intends to suspend the tax reform regulation if elected president
The tax reform was approved as a constitutional amendment in 2023 and regulated in 2024, replacing five taxes with a dual VAT system
Armando Monteiro, former CNI president, questioned Flávio's proposal at the event, defending the current reform's gains for industry
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (3)
Congressoemfoco.com.br specifies the estimated VAT rate as "close to 27%"; Exame.com cites "26% when the transition is completed"
Exame.com reports in detail Flávio's criticisms of the STF and the Lula government ("police station," "Taxadd," "loved by banks"); Congressoemfoco.com.br does not mention these statements
Exame.com identifies Armando Monteiro as "former Minister of Development, Industry and Commerce (MDIC) in the Dilma government"; Congressoemfoco.com.br does not mention the ministerial position
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What is the formal identification of the bill or constitutional amendment that regulated the tax reform approved in 2024?
Why it's still unknown: News reports mention that the regulation was approved in 2024 but do not cite the bill number (PL or PEC), authors, rapporteur, or committees through which it passed. Without this information, it is impossible to track the complete legislative history.
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What is the CNI's official position on Flávio Bolsonaro's proposal to suspend the tax reform regulation?
Why it's still unknown: The event was organized by CNI, and the entity's former president, Armando Monteiro, questioned Flávio's proposal. However, none of the sources present a formal institutional position from CNI—whether the entity endorses the suspension, defends the current reform, or considers the proposal harmful to industry interests.
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Which economic sectors obtained the concessions mentioned by Flávio Bolsonaro during the reform's processing, and how did they influence the final text?
Why it's still unknown: Flávio stated that "the sectors that were stronger managed to be excluded from the rules," but no source details which sectors, through what lobbying mechanisms, or which specific provisions of the final text reflect these concessions.
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What methodology is used by the Senate Budget Office or the Chamber's CONOF to estimate the 26-27% VAT rate, and what assumptions support this projection?
Why it's still unknown: Both Flávio and the reports mention rates "close to 27%" or "around 26%," but no source cites technical studies, legislative advisory notes, or opinions explaining the origin of this number and the calculation assumptions.
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What specific amendments did Flávio Bolsonaro submit during the reform's processing to keep the VAT "around 20%," and what was the outcome of each?
Why it's still unknown: Flávio claims to have made amendments with this objective, but no source identifies the number of these amendments, their content, in which committee they were voted on, or whether they were rejected or withdrawn.