The promulgation of Constitutional Amendment No. 132/2023, known as Tax Reform, is already a reality that has begun a countdown for Brazilian companies and brings a moment to rethink processes, systems, and strategies. With it comes a profound transformation in the way companies deal with their taxes. The reform unifies five taxes (ICMS, ISS, IPI, PIS and Cofins) into the Goods and Services Contribution (CBS), at the federal level, and into the Goods and Services Tax (IBS), with shared governance between states and municipalities. With a transition period extending from 2026 to 2032, the adaptation goes beyond changing tax rates and may require a review of the entire tax and operational architecture of organizations.
Looking at the technology sector, the challenge is even greater. Adjustments to internal systems and ERPs will be necessary to keep them aligned with the new tax requirements, enabling them to handle different rules, rates, and forms of calculation. That is, technology companies need to prepare themselves for the new moment.
"More than keeping up with changes in legislation, it is essential that technology companies view the reform as an opportunity to rethink processes and seek greater operational efficiency. Investing now in tax planning, automation and systems integration could transform an obligation into a competitive advantage, strengthening your position in the market", analyzes the Head of Tax Products of the Engineering Brazil, global information technology company and specialized consulting in digital transformation, Rodrigo Felix.
With this in mind, Felix created a list of the three essential next steps for this adaptation to occur in a strategic and assertive manner. Confira:
1- Anticipate and structure a unified data architecture.
The tax reform goes beyond the replacement of tax rates, since it represents a redesign of the country's fiscal value chain. “Organizations must anticipate the need for a unified data architecture. Technology ceases to be a support instrument and becomes the foundation of governance and fiscal operation,” says Rodrigo.
2- Implement technology for real-time tracking and processing
The new model eliminates tax cascading and introduces controls on value added and the use of tax credits. For the head, the implementation of an automatic payment system, which will pass on the amounts of CBS and IBS to the public coffers at the moment of the transaction, reinforces the requirement for systems capable of tracking and processing information in real time.
3- Use integrated digital tax platforms
Currently, investing in a digital tax structure becomes an advantage for the business strategy, since it has the power to mitigate risks, prevent potential penalties, and bring optimization to the operation. "Therefore, companies must be prepared. The use of platforms, such as Engineering Brasil's Smart Tax Platform, can be a solution because it connects the company's tax data, automates the submission of ancillary obligations, and monitors tax compliance. Today, about 70 medium- and large-sized companies already use our tax solution to be in compliance with their tax obligations," concludes Rodrigo.
