Author: Diego Souza

Source: Economia SC - 09/07/2010

According to the government, of the 2 posts in the state, more than 200 have problems with the tax authorities. Photo Diego Souza

DIEGO SOUZA

At the beginning of May, the EconomiaSC Portal showed a great fluctuation in the prices of common gasoline in Greater Florianópolis. They ranged from R $ 2,28 to more than R $ 2,60. Two months later, the situation took other forms. Today, the posts in the region are fighting over the lowest price. At first, it represents a blessing for the consumer. However, the Trade Union of Retail Mineral Fuels of Florianópolis attributes the price war, in part, to tax evasion.

Fuel can be found in some establishments in the Capital for R $ 2,04 and R $ 2,09. For the vice president of the union, Luiz Ângelo Sombrio, the drop in price is due to the dispute between the positions that evade and those that are in compliance with the law. According to him, who does not name names, tax evaders are practicing a price well below the recommended. As a result, other establishments are having to lower, and almost zero the profit margin, in order to compete in the market and not lose customers.

The vice president informs that the distributors sell gasoline between R $ 2 and R $ 2,20. For him, the average price should be around R $ 2,59 and R $ 2,69. The ICMS / ST calculation base for ordinary gasoline is R $ 2,55, according to the website of the State Finance Department.

“If this war continues for a long time, some posts will break. Only the readjustment of the salary floor here in Santa Catarina represented an impact of 30% on the payroll. Expenses are increasing and revenue is decreasing. Entrepreneurs need to work with a 20% margin on the price of the distributors and this is not happening ”, explains Luiz Ângelo.

For the farm, it is a question of the market

According to the director of Tax Administration of the State Secretariat of Finance, Edson Fernandes Santos, low prices are market and competition issues. However, the Treasury estimates that, of the 2 registered positions, about 200 to 300 have problems with the tax authorities, and are being monitored.

“In some cases, there is a lack of proof of the connection between their supply pumps and the Secretariat's control system. In others, the fuel was purchased from non-reputable distributors. Despite these non-conformities, practically all posts in the State are complying with tax rules ”, declares the director.

Edson Fernandes Santos also states that the inspection is permanent and the posts know that they are being monitored. The most recent work of the Secretariat of Finance is on stations that receive fuel from non-reputable distributors. They should collect ICMS, since fuels are covered by the tax substitution system (prepayment). The stations that receive the goods without declaring the collected tax may be co-responsible for the crime of evasion.