Ifrs e neutralidade tributária : a experiência brasileira no setor de telecomunicações

Abstract

This research examined how the tax neutrality is being applied in Brazil s IFRS first time adoption. The Brazilian IFRS adoption process was not only to the consolidated financial statements, but also for the individual accounts (tax base). This fact resulted in uneasiness about a possible tax increase. Thus, in order to ensure tax neutrality in the IFRS adoption process, it was established the Tax Transition Regime (RTT) for the income tax, social contribution, PIS/PASEP and COFINS. As the RTT is applicable only to new accounting methods and criteria and as the Brazilian Securities Commission (CVM) was issuing IFRS converging standards, even before the Law 11.638/07, this study examined four companies, from the Telecommunications Sector Index of the São Paulo Stock Exchange (BOVESPA), through a comparative case study. This research has not identified homogeneity in the first time adoption adjustments and has find situations, such as handset subsidies, where there is divergence in accounting practices among the companies studied, although the tax procedure is similar. The 26 adjustments, disclosed by the companies in the first time adoption, were grouped into thirteen categories: seven are subject to the RTT, four should not be included in this tax regime, and two depend on the situation. The RTT represented a milestone in the IFRS adoption, in spite of the compliance costs to unlink the financial reporting and tax base. Otherwise, it would be jeopardized due to the tax influence on financial reporting. Nevertheless, after this initial adoption time, it is necessary to unveil the tax treatment to be given from this point on, which should not penalize those that have already been adopting the best alternatives in their financial statements.