Source: Agência CNI - Brasília / DF - 18/08/2010

Rio de Janeiro - The tax burden in Brazil is perceived as high or very high by more than 95% of the population in the six main metropolitan regions of Brazil. The reduction of the load is seen as better for the population by 89,2% of the people, although 69,9% recognize that there could be a lack of resources for public investments. Although the vast majority (89,4%) are aware of the incidence of taxes on products, more than half have no idea what the percentages are. Asked about the importance of addressing the topic in the election campaign, 85,1% answered that it is important or very important.

These are some of the conclusions of the survey Impacts of Taxes on Population, an initiative of the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FIRJAN), released this Wednesday, August 18th. 2.482 interviews were conducted in Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and São Paulo.

The objective was to assess the level of awareness of the tax burden, investigate knowledge about the volume incurred in products and services and see what people would do with a monthly surplus if the burden was reduced. The margin of error is 1,9%, more or less.

The perception of the high tax burden rises to 97,1% when respondents are encouraged to compare the collection and the quality of services provided by the state. For 80,3%, it would be relevant to have the tax paid itemized on the invoice.

A question about the purpose of the taxes showed that 64,9% know that the purpose of the collection is to maintain and improve public services, but also showed indignant responses: 21,8% said that the money will end up in the government's pockets. Another 8,8% answered that the money “is not applied as it should”, and 6,8%, that the state “does not invest the money raised”. In this question it was allowed to check more than one option.

In a possible reduction in the tax burden, the interviewees cited the greatest benefits as an increase in income (55,7%), an increase in consumption (32,9%), a reduction in prices (29,3%) and an increase in the supply of jobs ( 26,2%). The survey also found that taxes, fees and contributions Brazilians know.

It gave IPTU in first place (65,3%), followed by IPVA (44,2%), Income Tax (43,5%) and the contribution to the INSS (42,4%). The least known are the ITBI (Tax on Transmission of Real Estate), with 1,7%, and CSLL (Social Contribution on Net Income), with 1%.

Injection of resources into the economy with load reduction may reach R $ 107 billion

To measure what people would do with a monthly surplus due to an eventual reduction in the tax burden, the survey offered two scenarios. If the total released by the fall were 5% of the family budget, 44,3% would save money, 37% would use the opportunity to consume more and 18,7% would pay off debts. Among those who said they would spend more, the types of products most cited were food (54,7%), clothing (16,1%) and leisure (15,8%). This consumption would inject, according to FIRJAN estimates, R $ 57 billion into the Brazilian economy.

In the scenario of a load reduction that freed 10% of the family budget, the result was similar: 48% would save, 35,5% would consume more and 16,5% would pay off debts. Among those who would spend the surplus, in addition to food, clothing and leisure, they appear among the categories mentioned health (health plans and medicines) and education (language and specialization courses). In this case, the estimated injection of resources into the economy would be R $ 108 billion.

FIRJAN campaigns to discuss cargo, transparency and tax application

On Wednesday (18/8), FIRJAN launched the Diet of Impostão campaign, to raise public awareness of the high tax burden, the lack of transparency in the system and the low return on services provided.

At the launch of the survey Impacts from Taxes on the Population, advertising pieces and the campaign film were presented. The intention is to involve the population and contribute to the issue gaining visibility in the pre-election period, joining the candidates' discussion agenda.

“In the campaigns of the main candidates for the Presidency of the Republic, we do not see the interest in debating tax issues”, said the president of FIRJAN, Eduardo Eugenio Gouvêa Vieira. For him, it is necessary to involve the citizen in the theme: "The Diet of Impostão aims to show the Brazilian how much he pays taxes", he added.

The star of the media and mobilization campaign on social networks is Impostão, a character who represents the impact of the high tax burden and devours part of everything that lies ahead.

The Dieta do Impostão website clarifies visitors about taxation, its impacts on the economy and the need for tax reform. It has a table of taxes on products consumed in the Brazilian's daily life, petition and promotional material for the campaign to download. A blog gathers discussions and news on the topic. The mobilization around the subject will also be on social networks such as Facebook, Orkut, Twitter and YouTube.