The “split payment” instrument planned for 2027, designed to combat tax evasion and ensure more efficient revenue collection, is one of the pillars of the tax reform, regulated this year. This mechanism will directly impact companies’ cash flow, which requires immediate preparation to deal with the new reality.
In simplified terms, “split payment” is a system where taxes are segregated at the time of payment, going directly to public coffers without passing through the company’s account. It means the end of delays in tax collection and the complexity of tax forms. “It’s a dream for the government and a logistical nightmare for those managing cash flow,” says tax expert Lucas Ribeiro, founder and CEO of ROIT, a leading company in solutions for Tax Reform.
In Ribeiro’s assessment, “split payment” puts the tax authority “in the position of co-owner of companies’ cash.” He compares the change represented by the new instrument to that caused by the emergence of “Sped” (Public Digital Bookkeeping System). “It’s a change as drastic as that one. The difference is that now the impact is direct and daily.”
The impacts on cash flow
According to Ribeiro, companies already struggling to balance inflows and outflows may see “split payment” as a red flag. The automatic segregation of taxes reduces the net amount available in the company’s account. And this is not just a technical change—it’s a strategic one.
“Imagine that, before, the tax was ‘parked’ in cash for a few weeks until the due date. Now, it will be deducted instantly. Result? Less working capital and greater dependence on credit,” explains Ribeiro.
A crucial question: how to survive?
Companies already operating with tight margins need to rethink strategies now, advises the tax expert. Renegotiating supplier terms, increasing operational efficiency, and optimizing costs will be essential to face this new reality. Additionally, the use of advanced technologies for financial and tax management will become mandatory.
““If the company does not master its operational data, ‘split payment’ could become an unsustainable burden. Invoice-To-Pay tools and cash flow simulators integrated with ‘split’ are solutions that will help companies foresee problems before they arise,” advises Lucas Ribeiro.
Benefits and challenges
Although the promise of ending tax evasion is attractive—and positive for the country’s economic balance—the challenges cannot be ignored. Ribeiro lists some of them:
Benefits
- Reduction of tax evasion and unfair competition.
- Simplification of tax collection.
- Greater tax predictability for governments and companies.
Challenges
- Reduction of immediate liquidity.
- Dependence on robust systems for real-time management.
- Need for greater working capital for companies with high tax volumes.
- Complex reconciliation between accrual and cash operations.
“If ‘split payment’ is inevitable, preparation will be the great differentiator. Companies that master their numbers, adjust their processes, and invest in advanced technology will come out ahead,” emphasizes ROIT’s CEO. “In the upcoming management war, whoever holds the data will dictate the rules of the game. ‘Split payment’ is not the end, but the beginning of a new era in business management.”
Ribeiro adds: “So, the final question remains: will your company have cash for ‘split payment,’ or will it become hostage to loans and interest? The time to act is now. Those who wait for the storm won’t be ready to sail.”
