Brazil tax advice: retain IRPF records for five years and how to regularize late MEI filing

Brazilian tax specialists advise that after submitting the Individual Income Tax Return (IRPF), taxpayers must keep all supporting documents for at least five years. Ahiram Cardoso of Unime Lauro de Freitas notes that the Receita Federal may request proof during audits or when a return is placed in "malha fina," and failure to produce documents can lead to additional tax, fines, and interest. Required records include income statements, receipts for health and education expenses, bank and investment statements, property and vehicle transaction documents, and donation receipts. Long‑term assets such as real estate and vehicles need to be kept for the period of ownership plus five years after any sale. Digital archiving is also recommended to facilitate future retrieval.

For Micro‑entrepreneurs (MEI) who missed the May 31 deadline for the 2025 Annual Simple National Declaration (DASN‑SIMEI), the filing can still be submitted. The penalty is 2 % per month on the declared taxes, capped at 20 % of the total, with a minimum charge of R$ 50. Paying the penalty within 30 days grants a 50 % discount. The declaration remains mandatory even for those with zero revenue or who have closed the CNPJ, and it can be filed despite existing debts, though prolonged non‑payment may lead to active debt registration or cancellation of the MEI status. The portal steps for late filing are detailed, and the receipt must be kept for future verification.