Author: Christina Nascimento

Source: O Dia (RJ), 23/06/2009

Rio - The carioca who helps the city to collect more taxes will have a prize: discount in the IPTU. The City of Rio has a technical study in progress to put into practice the granting of rebates in the form of credits that the consumer will acquire when demanding the Electronic Invoice (NFE). According to the press office of the Municipal Finance Secretariat, the model must follow the one already implemented in the city of São Paulo. There, the digital tax document cuts the amount to be paid in IPTU in half.

The study should be completed by the end of the year, when it will be determined whether the reduction in property tax will be as generous as that in São Paulo. The city hall's main objective is to increase the collection of the Service Tax (ISS) by encouraging the collection of the electronic invoice, which replaces the printed invoice. As the focus is ISS, the discount will be given for each grade requested in establishments such as beauty salons, parking lots, gyms, schools and hotels. The abatement bands in the IPTU will have to be included in a bill, to be voted on by the City Council.

If approved, as is already the case in São Paulo, the taxpayer may indicate the property that wishes to receive the benefit, including the right to transfer the credit to someone else's property. Through the Internet, the taxpayer informs electronic invoice data, which are converted into credits, which can be accumulated for five years. The balance may be monitored by the network. In April, technicians from the municipal Treasury and computer experts already met to talk about the system.

DEFAULT OUTSIDE

Rio has 1,8 million residential, non-residential and land registered for IPTU payment; however, only 1,1 million are taxpayers. In São Paulo, the reduction in the IPTU via the payment of a note is not valid for those who are in default.

This year, the Attorney General's Office announced that it will auction 1.007 properties owned by Active Debt Owners. If all are sold, a total of R $ 18 million will be collected.