Brazil presidential candidates lack concrete tax reform proposals

Analysis of Brazilian presidential candidates' government programs reveals a lack of concrete proposals regarding tax reform, specifically concerning income and wealth taxation. A study by MaisProgresso.org, which examined candidates including Lula, Flávio Bolsonaro, Renan Santos, Augusto Cury, Ronaldo Caiado, and Romeu Zema, found that structural tax issues are often mentioned only as diagnoses without actionable plans.

Income taxation and progressivity are notably absent from most platforms. While Lula’s program includes measures such as taxing the super-rich, offshore accounts, and exclusive funds, alongside an income tax exemption for those earning up to R$5,000, it does not propose a new stage of income reform. Conversely, Flávio Bolsonaro’s platform contains almost no mention of income taxation.

Experts note that Brazil’s current tax system is highly regressive, placing a heavy burden on consumption—which accounts for 13.03% of GDP—compared to much lower rates on income and wealth relative to OECD averages. Recent legislative measures, such as Law 15.270/2025, have attempted to address these inequities by establishing minimum annual taxation for high earners and implementing withholdings on large monthly dividends.