Starting April 1, 2025, taxpayers in Brazil can begin filling out their Income Tax returns for the year 2025 online, either through mobile devices, tablets, or directly on the Receita Federal website. This year, the pre-filled model is also available, allowing for a more streamlined filing process.
In the first two weeks of the filing period, which started on March 17, 2025, the documents could only be filled out and transmitted using the Fisco program on computers running Windows, Linux, or macOS. As of now, there are 59 days left to file the return without incurring a fine, with the deadline set for May 30, 2025.
The Receita Federal has attributed the delay in the rollout of the online filing system to issues with data availability regarding private pension contributions, bank account balances both domestically and internationally, investments, real estate acquisitions, and donations made in the previous year. However, they have reassured taxpayers that the 60-day window for filing remains adequate.
On April 1, the Receita Federal released the complete set of information for the pre-filled returns, which includes contributions to private pensions, updates on bank account balances, investments, properties acquired, donations, and information on crypto assets. This new phase aims to enhance the filing experience, enabling taxpayers to easily access their financial data.
Taxpayers who have already begun filling out their returns and wish to use the Fisco's data will need to restart the process, as the previous data will not be valid. The Receita Federal advises that those who have imported data during the initial phase must delete their previous declarations and create new ones.
The pre-filled declaration is designed to expedite the filing process and reduce errors, as it automatically populates fields with data that has already been reported to the Receita Federal by employers and financial institutions. It is expected that nearly 57% of taxpayers will opt for this pre-filled model in 2025.
To access the pre-filled declaration, taxpayers must have a gold or silver level account on the gov.br platform. This system consolidates various public services and information, ensuring that users can securely access their tax data.
It's essential for taxpayers to verify the accuracy of the information provided in the pre-filled return. José Carlos da Fonseca, an auditor responsible for the Income Tax program, emphasized, "Just because the information is pre-filled doesn't mean it's correct. You need to have the supporting documents to confirm the values presented." This caution is crucial, as inaccuracies could lead to complications in the filing process.
The pre-filled declaration will include the following information:
- Taxpayer identification information;
- Income and payments from the Declaration of Income Tax Withheld at Source (DIRF), Declaration of Information on Real Estate Activities (DIMOB), Declaration of Medical and Health Services (DMED), and Carnê-Leão Web;
- Income exempt due to serious illness and interest codes;
- Income from refunds received in the calendar year;
- Private pension contributions;
- Updated balances for bank and savings accounts;
- Updated balances for investment funds;
- Properties acquired in the calendar year;
- Donations made in the calendar year;
- Information on crypto assets;
- Bank accounts and savings accounts not yet declared;
- Investment funds not yet declared;
- Bank accounts abroad.
In 2024, 46 million taxpayers submitted their returns to the Receita Federal, with 41.5% using the pre-filled declaration. The Fisco anticipates that the total number of declarations received by the end of the deadline will reach approximately 46.2 million.
Regarding the priority for tax refunds, the Receita Federal has maintained a preference for those who use the pre-filled declaration and choose to receive their refunds via Pix. The priority list includes seniors aged 80 and older, seniors between 60 and 79, individuals with disabilities or serious illnesses, and those whose primary source of income is teaching.
This year, certain taxpayers are required to file their Income Tax returns if they meet specific criteria, such as receiving taxable income exceeding R$ 33,888.00, exempt income above R$ 200,000.00, or having a capital gain from the sale of assets. Additionally, anyone who has possession of assets worth more than R$ 800,000.00 on December 31 must also file.
For those who fail to submit their Income Tax returns on time, penalties apply. The fine is set at 1% of the amount due, with a minimum of R$ 165.74, and can reach a maximum of 20% of the total amount owed.
As the deadline approaches, taxpayers are encouraged to utilize the pre-filled declaration to simplify their filing process and ensure compliance with tax regulations. The Receita Federal has made significant strides in facilitating a smoother experience for taxpayers, and the continued use of technology is expected to enhance the efficiency of the tax filing system in Brazil.
