On 12/29/2015, ICMS Convention No. 181/2015, enacted by the National Finance Policy Council – CONFAZ, was published in the Official Gazette. The convention authorizes a few States (including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Santa Catarina) to grant a reduction of ICMS calculation basis in such a way that the tax burden will be equivalent to 5% of the transaction amount for goods including software, programs, electronic games, applications and electronic files, regardless of their medium (physical, digital, or otherwise) or whether or not they are standardized or adaptive.

The reduction of the calculation basis is optional but the use of other tax credits or benefits is forbidden.

Moreover, once the requirements of the respective state law are fulfilled, the states are authorized to not charge the tax debits in relation to the transactions described above until the effective date of this convention. However, the amount paid can not be object to restitution or offsetting.

Visit us at Tauil & Chequer

Founded in 2001, Tauil & Chequer Advogados is a full service law firm with approximately 90 lawyers and offices in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Vitória. T&C represents local and international businesses on their domestic and cross-border activities and offers clients the full range of legal services including: corporate and M&A; debt and equity capital markets; banking and finance; employment and benefits; environmental; intellectual property; litigation and dispute resolution; restructuring, bankruptcy and insolvency; tax; and real estate. The firm has a particularly strong and longstanding presence in the energy, oil and gas and infrastructure industries as well as with pension and investment funds. In December 2009, T&C entered into an agreement to operate in association with Mayer Brown LLP and become "Tauil & Chequer Advogados in association with Mayer Brown LLP."

© Copyright 2015. Tauil & Chequer Advogados, a Brazilian law partnership with which Mayer Brown is associated. All rights reserved.

This article provides information and comments on legal issues and developments of interest. The foregoing is not a comprehensive treatment of the subject matter covered and is not intended to provide legal advice. Readers should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to the matters discussed herein.