Approved tax amnesty program will frustrate revenue collection by R$ 3 billion this year, says Meirelles.
Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles stated this Thursday that revenue from the Refis program, a tax debt renegotiation program, will fall by 3 billion reais this year considering the text approved by the National Congress; official government projections indicate revenue of 8,8 billion reais from Refis this year; however, last week, Treasury Secretary Ana Paula Vescovi estimated a shortfall of 5 billion reais from Refis based on the text approved by the Chamber of Deputies, bringing the total to only 3,8 billion reais this year.
SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles stated on Thursday that revenue from the Refis program, a tax debt renegotiation program, will fall by 3 billion reais this year, considering the text approved by the National Congress.
The official projections considered by the government indicate a revenue of 8,8 billion reais from the Refis program this year. However, last week, the Treasury Secretary, Ana Paula Vescovi, estimated a shortfall of 5 billion reais from the Refis program based on the text approved in the Chamber of Deputies, bringing the total to only 3,8 billion reais this year.
The text of the program was finalized by the Senate this Thursday.
Speaking to reporters after participating in an event in São Paulo, Meirelles also said that revenue for 2018 from the Refis program, as approved by parliamentarians, will fall by 900 million reais, according to initial estimates.
Regarding the pension reform, he indicated an expectation of a vote in November.
When questioned about the services provided by the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) to the Ministry of Finance, he stated that it is a long-term project within the ministry.
The day before, Reuters reported that the minister already has a team of people linked to FGV (Fundação Getúlio Vargas) to advise him and, among other tasks, monitor the repercussions of his actions on social media with an eye on the 2018 presidential elections.
Asked about a possible candidacy next year, Meirelles reiterated that he has been focused on his work leading the Ministry and that the important thing is to get Brazil growing again.