Happy Monday! This week, new proposed legislation provides an inkling of tax reform hope. Health care for mental issues grew significantly during the pandemic. Brazilian police forces embracing body cams.
House to consider a mini tax reform
Talks about tax reform in Brazil have been going on for years, even decades. But it has been impossible to reconcile the interests of a wide variety of different stakeholders, each with their own vision about how to improve Brazil’s Byzantine tax system. Recently proposed legislation, however, could provide a glimmer of hope.
- Pro-business lawmaker Felipe Rigoni drafted the so-called “Taxpayer Defense Code” as a way to reduce the discretionary powers of tax auditors and limit the number of tax norms in Brazil.
- The code, which is referred to as a “mini tax reform,” has the support of multiple party leaders — including the crucial backing of House Speaker Arthur Lira.
Why it matters. Passing reform bills is difficult in regular years, and borderline impossible in the lead up to an election. The Taxpayer Defense Code is probably the closest Congress will get to overhauling Brazil’s tax system until a new government is elected.
Piling up. The Federal Revenue Service creates around 40,000...