Oil companies with a presence in Brazil argued on Wednesday (25) for the elimination of the 1% selective tax on oil extraction from the document.

Selective tax for the sector oil will increase prices gasoline and diesel, says IBP. Oil companies operating in Brazil defended on Wednesday (25) that the 1% selective tax on oil extraction be removed from the text of the tax reform. They claim that the inclusion of the sector could cause inflationary pressure and reduce Brazil's competitiveness compared to other countries in the fight for investments. The reform opinion, published earlier by the rapporteur of the matter in the Senate, Eduardo Braga (MDB-AM), established a ceiling of 1% on the collection of a Selective Tax on the extraction of non-renewable natural resources, such as iron ore and oil. , among other sectors.

Roberto Ardenghy, president of the Brazilian Petroleum Institute (IBP), which represents oil companies such as Petrobras, Shell and Exxon Mobil in Brazil, stated that the segment is already highly taxed throughout the production chain. He cited taxes such as special participations and royalties, which affect oil production, as well as Cide, which focuses on the commercialization of fuels.

“Brazil consumes 390 million liters of diesel, gasoline and other fuels per day, it is a gigantic market, all sectors of economy have a greater or lesser dependence on this activity”, highlighted Ardenghy. “So, when you create an external tax, not foreseen for this sector, you end up, naturally, generating inflationary pressure that will affect all consumers... We think that this measure should not prosper, because it ends up burdening society as a whole. ”

More expensive gasoline and diesel. In his report, Braga specified that the collection of selective tax on the extraction of non-renewable natural resources will be limited to 1%. According to him, Congress could later define inputs essential to the country's development, such as lithium, which could be excluded from this charge. However, Ardenghy also defended the essentiality of the oil and derivatives segment.

“The selective tax is traditionally a tax for superfluous activities, such as cigarettes, alcoholic beverages and other sectors that do not have the economic importance that the oil and fuel production sector has,” he stated. “People cannot stop using fuel simply at their pleasure, it is not a decision like stopping smoking or stopping drinking”, he added.

Regarding the potential loss of competitiveness mentioned, Ardenghy stated that the oil sector is globalized. “When you place a tax on oil extraction, as stated in the proposal, you automatically create a burden on the project that was not originally foreseen, and then companies may decide to go to other countries,” she stated.

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