The federal government, in a tide of bad luck with its tax policies, faces a a true perfect storm (as economists usually say). The Minister of Finance has become the target of memes and intense criticism due to his obsession with increasing taxes and revenue at any cost, ironically nicknamed Fernando "Tax"
The perception of the population, mainly from the poorer classes, should worsen with the new tax on imported products of up to US$ 50, that will come into effect next month. Even before August begins, platforms like AliExpress and Shopee anticipated the tax collection, popularly known as the "t-shirt tax", for July 27. Initially, this charge was scheduled for August 1st, as stipulated by the Ministry of Economy. The new tax will apply to international purchases of up to $50, with a rate of 20%
The platforms justify the anticipation as a measure to adapt to the new taxation system, due to the time required to adjust the import declarations. This anticipation is the cause of a mismatch between the time of purchase and the declaration at Customs
The new 20% tax on international purchases of up to $50 results in a total tax burden of 44,5%, considering the current ICMS of 17% plus the import tax (20%). This apparently distorted calculation, where 20% + 17% result in 44,5%, it is a consequence of the mathematical artifice of "tax imposed from within", a Brazilian fiscal strategy to increase the effective rate
With the implementation of the new fee, the price of international purchases will rise significantly. For example, a shirt for US$ 30, that is currently taxed only with the ICMS of 17%, it has a high price of US$ 36,15. With the new import tax, the price of the blouse will rise to US$ 43,38. Considering one dollar at R$ 5,60, the prices in reais would be R$ 168,00 without taxes, R$ 202,45 with ICMS and R$ 242,93 with ICMS and the new federal rate. The taxes add almost R$ 75,00 to the price of a 30 dollar product, a value that can significantly impact the budget of poorer families and their purchases that were "cheap"
It is regrettable that the government chooses this additional penalty, especially in a time of economic crisis when the lower classes are already struggling with the rising cost of living. The "t-shirt tax" is yet another example of how the rulers are disconnected from the reality of the population. Instead of seeking solutions that encourage economic growth and job creation, they prefer to raise taxes indiscriminately, harming the most vulnerable
Brazil urgently needs a fair tax reform, that relieves the burden on the poorest and encourages production and consumption. The current government, however, seems to be more concerned with filling the public coffers at the expense of the worker. It is time to rethink these policies and seek alternatives that truly benefit the population, and not just the interests of a few
