Business Forum wants dialogue with João Alves regarding ISS reduction.

Valter Lima, from Sergipe 247 – Upon taking office this Thursday afternoon (21), as coordinator of the Sergipe Business Forum, businessman Roger Dantas Barros demanded that the municipal administration review the decision to remove the tax benefit of the reduction of the Service Tax (ISS) for Information Technology companies located in Aracaju. The municipal secretary of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Walker Carvalho, present at the event, committed to opening a dialogue between the City Hall and the IT sector.

The new coordinator of the Forum said it is unacceptable that, upon taking office, mayors undo actions left by previous administrations. “This needs to change. The previous mayor granted a benefit that reduced the ISS (Service Tax) from 5% to 2%, but the new mayor withdrew it and only maintained the tax reduction for the call center company that will be setting up in Aracaju. He kept it for those coming from outside and took it away from us who have been in the city for 20 years,” he protested.

He also criticized the fact that the current administration insists on criticizing the previous administration. "If the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Court of Auditors, and the Court of Justice exist as oversight bodies, there's no need to criticize those whose term has ended, because in the end, nothing happens," he stated.

Taking the floor, municipal secretary Walker Carvalho said that the law was only sanctioned by former mayor Edvaldo Nogueira (PC do B) at the end of his term, without specifying how the benefit's resources would be replenished, in addition to stating that the tax waiver would represent R$ 40 million less in the city's accounts, which was refuted by Roger Dantas Barros.

The businessman stressed that, although it was only approved at the end of the previous term, the sector's request was made four years ago, and he guaranteed that the amount the city will lose with the tax waiver is R$ 1,5 million and is already foreseen in the Budget Guidelines Law, not resulting in any harm to the new administration.

"The then-candidate João Alves Filho said at the Sergipe Commercial Association luncheon that he would not create or increase any new taxes, but he broke his promise. Furthermore, we sought out Secretary Nilson Lima even before the benefit was withdrawn, but he did not receive us," stated Roger Barros.

IT entrepreneurs are in talks with the municipalities of neighboring cities to facilitate the relocation of their businesses to another city where tax benefits exist. Following his explanation, Walker Carvalho committed to initiating dialogue with the city hall and informing Mayor João Alves Filho about the sector's needs.

In addition to the discussion surrounding the reduction of the ISS (Service Tax), Roger Barros spoke, in his inauguration speech, about the urgent need for tax, political, and labor reforms in the country. "No one can bear 40% in taxes for companies. It is urgent that the existing fiscal war between states and municipalities be ended," said the new coordinator of the Business Forum. He also criticized the practice of holding elections every two years in the country.

Photo: Infonet Portal