Short deadline: companies have less than a year to be ready for tax reform

There is less than a year for companies to adapt to the tax reform. Regulated last January, the new rules come into effect in January 2026. The implementation will be gradual, and is expected to be completed in 2033. What represents an extra complexity: until then, it will be necessary to coexist with two existing models – the current and the new. What requires preparation as well.

Time is running, and the shift to a new tax era in Brazil is closer than many imagine, alert the tax specialist Lucas Ribeiro, CEO of ROIT, artificial intelligence company for accounting management, fiscal and financial of organizations. Ribeiro has been directly involved in debates and the construction of tax reform since 2019. In 2023 and 2024, acted as a speaker at public hearings in the National Congress, pointing out potentialities and bottlenecks, in addition to directly advising senators and deputies.

It's like a giant clock counting down in all the companies in Brazil.With less than a year for full compliance, companies from all sectors need to face one of the most transformative reforms in Brazilian history. And, as in every race against time, the prepared get ahead and win, reiterates.

The approval of the tax reform brought profound changes to the tax system, consolidating taxes, changing rates and introducing new concepts such as dual VAT and split payment. The VAT – Value Added Tax – it is dual because it is composed of two taxes: Tax on Goods and Services (IBS) and Contribution on Goods and Services (CBS). The split payment will be an instrument for collecting taxes at the time of financial settlement, linking the invoice key with the payment key, and vice versa.

But the transition is not just a matter of calculation, advertises the tax specialist Lucas Ribeiro, CEO of ROIT, artificial intelligence company for accounting management, fiscal and financial. Ribeiro has been following and participating in public debates on tax reform since 2019. The transition to the new tax era is a multidimensional challenge that requires the reorganization of processes, adjustments in systems and, mainly, a strategic view on the impact on business.

The specialist adds: "Companies that do not move in time run the risk of losing competitiveness and facing serious financial losses. This is a moment when knowledge and technology become indispensable weapons, alert Lucas Ribeiro, tax advisor and CEO of ROIT.

The adaptation to the reform involves several critical fronts, explain Ribeiro. They are:

1. Review of contracts and renegotiation with suppliersHow the costs will be passed on?
2. Price and profit margin reviewThe new taxation directly impacts the pricing of products and services.
3. Improvement of control systemsCompanies need tools that integrate tax data, financial and logistical in a precise and automated way.
4. Team trainingA well-informed and prepared team can make all the difference in the transition to the new model.

Why is the deadline so critical?

The deadline seems short because it is. Even though the reform will only come into full effect in 2026, the transition phase requires adjustment as early as 2025. "Companies have", in practice, 2025 to adjust your operations and prepare for the consolidation of the rules. It's not just about complying with the law, but to adjust strategies to survive in this new environment, reinforces Ribeiro.

And here is the biggest mistake that many are makingignore the details.It is common to see companies believing that it is enough to adapt their accounting systems or follow what their competitors are doing. However, each sector, each business model has particularities that require detailed analyses and customized actions.

Technology as an ally

With the complexity of changes, technologies based on artificial intelligence, as developed by ROIT, gain prominence. Tools like the Tax Reform Calculator allow for accurate simulations, real-time impact analysis and even suggestions for best market practices.

According to Ribeiro, the differential is not simply calculating the new rate, but in guiding companies in the interpretation of data for strategic decision-making. The reform is not just a challenge; it can be an opportunity to boost the business.”

And the future?

For the specialist, the year 2025 will be "decisive" to define "winners and losers in the new tax era". Companies that anticipate and master the numbers will be better prepared to face changes, fringe. Those who leave it to the last minute, believing that the adaptations will be simple, they can find a scenario of loss and lack of competitiveness. Therefore, if your company has not yet started to prepare, the moment is now. The clock is running, and the future of your organization may depend on the decisions made today.