Brazilian cities roll out tax debt relief and utility fee adjustments

Municipalities across Brazil are introducing programs to ease fiscal burdens on businesses and residents. Cocal do Sul will allow companies to settle municipal debts with discounts of up to 80% on fines and interest and offers a reduced 1% ITBI rate for property transfers used as capital. In Caraguatatuba, the Refis program lets taxpayers renegotiate tax and non‑tax debts with discounts ranging from 50% to 100% on interest and fines, payable in up to 60 installments. The water and sewage service in Macaúbas has opened a general recadastramento to update user data and qualify for the federal social tariff law, with a deadline of December 2026. Caxias do Sul’s council approved the sale of eight public parcels to the municipal water agency Samae for R$ 33.7 million, a move criticised as a fiscal maneuver amid budget pressures. Porto Alegre’s council passed a decree cutting ISS penalties by up to 95% to boost tax collection before a legislative recess. Finally, São José do Rio Preto’s water authority announced a 6.30% tariff increase, citing inflation and energy costs, while maintaining one of the lowest rates nationally.