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The Federal Revenue Service Announced the Change in CNPJ for 2026. The New Model Will Have an Adapted Check Digit and Integrates Tax Reform.
The Federal Revenue Service confirmed that the National Registry of Legal Entities (CNPJ) will undergo a historic transformation starting in July 2026.
For the first time, the document will include letters and numbers, forming an alphanumeric model that will gradually replace the current format.
The change in CNPJ will occur throughout Brazil and aims to prevent the depletion of existing combinations, as well as modernize the tax system.
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This novelty will only apply to new registrations, such as newly created companies, branches, rural producers, condominiums, and self-employed professionals.
Those who already have a numeric CNPJ will not need to change or update anything, as current registrations will remain valid and accepted by public and private systems.
What Changes with the Alphanumeric CNPJ
The new format will maintain the 14 traditional characters but will allow the inclusion of letters from A to Z in specific positions.
This simple change guarantees a huge expansion of possible combinations and resolves the technical limit threatening the current model.
According to the Federal Revenue Service, the CNPJ 2026 is a measure of continuity: as each number is unique and permanent, even closed companies do not release their old registrations.
Currently, there are already more than 63 million CNPJs issued in Brazil, with 24.9 million active and 29.2 million deactivated.
How the Implementation of the New Model Will Be
The issuance of the new numbers will be done gradually starting in July 2026.
The Federal Revenue Service stated it will publish a calendar to define which types of activities or companies will adopt the alphanumeric format first.
The process of opening and registering businesses will not undergo practical changes. The procedure will remain the same, but the generated numbers may contain letters.
Additionally, public and private systems connected to REDESIM (National Network for the Simplification of Registration and Legalization of Companies and Businesses) will already be prepared for the adaptation.
Impacts for Companies and Professionals
The change in CNPJ will require technical adjustments in systems that deal with the issuance of invoices, databases, and tax routines.
Companies that do not update their tools may face failures in the issuance of tax documents, delays in meeting obligations, and difficulties in integrating with suppliers.
The Federal Revenue Service informed that it will provide support tools to facilitate this adaptation. Nevertheless, the recommendation is that companies start preparations in advance to avoid losses.
Check Digit Will Have New Adaptation
The Check Digit (DV), used to validate the authenticity of the CNPJ, will continue to be calculated using the Module 11 method, but will undergo an adaptation to include letters.
In this process, each alphanumeric character will be converted into a numeric value based on the ASCII table.
The Federal Revenue Service exemplifies: the letter A corresponds to the number 65 in the table, and for the calculation, the value 17 will be used, resulting from the subtraction of 48.
To support technology companies, the Federal Revenue Service informed that it will provide calculation routines in different programming languages.
Relation with the Tax Reform
The change in CNPJ is not merely technical. According to the Federal Revenue Service, the alphanumeric model is directly linked to the process of modernizing the Brazilian tax system.
It prepares the ground for the arrival of the CBS (Contribution on Goods and Services) and the IBS (Tax on Goods and Services), taxes that will simplify and unify existing taxes.
In this scenario, the new CNPJ will allow greater integration, automation, and reliability in tax records.
Costs and Necessary Adaptations
Although there are no direct costs for those who already have an active registration, companies and professionals using management and document issuance systems will need to invest in technological updates.
These adjustments will ensure that programs recognize the CNPJ 2026 and the new Check Digit calculation.
Despite the investment, experts consider that the change is necessary to maintain the functioning of the system and prepare the country for a more modern and efficient tax structure.
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