The "split payment" instrument scheduled for 2027, aimed at combating tax evasion and ensuring more efficient revenue collection, is one of the pillars of the tax reform, regulated this year. This mechanism will directly impact the cash flow of companies, which requires, from now on, preparation to deal with the new reality.
In a simplified way, "split payment" is a system in which taxes are segregated at the time of payment, going directly to the public coffers without passing through the company's account. It means the end of delays in tax payments and the complexity of tax guides."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, the "split payment" places the Tax Authority "in the position of co-owner of the companies' cash flow." It compares the change represented by the new instrument with the one caused by the emergence of the "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 that already face challenges in balancing income and expenses should see the "split payment" as a warning sign. Automatic tax segregation reduces the net amount available in the company's account. And this is not just a technical change – it is a strategic change.
"Imagine that, before, the tax was 'parked' at the cash register for a few weeks until the due date. Now, it will be deducted instantly. The result? Less working capital and greater dependence on credit," explains Ribeiro.
A crucial question: how to survive?
Companies that already operate with tight margins need to rethink their strategies now, recommends the tax expert.Renegotiation of deadlines with suppliers, increased operational efficiency, and cost optimizationThey will be essential to face this new reality. Furthermore, the use of advanced technologies for financial and tax management will become mandatory.
“If the company does not master its operational data, the 'split payment' can become an unsustainable burden. Invoice-to-Pay tools and cash flow simulators integrated with 'split' are solutions that will help companies see the future before it becomes a problem," advises Lucas Ribeiro.
Benefits and challenges
Although the promise to end 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 increased working capital for companies with high tax volume.
- Complex reconciliation between accrual and cash operations.
If the "split payment" is unavoidable, preparation will be the great turning point. Companies that master the numbers, adjust their processes, and invest in advanced technology will get ahead, emphasizes the CEO of ROIT. "In the management war that lies ahead, those who have the data in hand will set the rules of the game. The '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 the 'split payment' or will it be hostage to loans and interest?" The time to act is now. Those who wait for the storm do not prepare to sail.
