Senate Panel Takes Up Phased Tax Hikes on Bets, Fintechs and Banks

Overview

• Lawmakers in the Senate Economic Affairs Committee opened debate on PL 5.473/2025, with a terminative vote that could send the bill directly to the Chamber unless eight senators seek plenary review.
• Relator Eduardo Braga proposed phased increases for betting GGR, moving to 15% in 2026–2027 and 18% in 2028, softening Renan Calheiros’ original jump to 24%.
• The plan raises CSLL for fintechs from 9% to 12% in 2026 and to 15% from 2028, while sectors already at 15%—such as banks—would go to 17.5% in 2026 and 20% in 2028.
• Braga cited the risk of driving operators to the illegal market as the reason for a gradual path, as the regulated betting sector projects about R$9 billion in transfers to the public coffers in 2025.
• Projected revenue would fund health and broader social security spending and, in 2026–2027, offset state and municipal losses from the new IR exemption, with senators also weighing a 17.5% effective tax floor proposal and taking up a separate ‘Super MEI’ bill raising the cap to R$140,000.