Residents of Sorocaba, a city in São Paulo, Brazil, have accumulated R$ 2.1 billion in IPVA (Vehicle Property Tax) debts since 2012, as revealed by the Institute of Studies on Protest of Titles of Brazil (IEPTB/SP). This staggering amount results from unpaid taxes that have been sent to notary protest offices, and it highlights a significant financial issue for many residents who face difficulties in accessing credit and financing due to these outstanding debts.

As of now, there are over 236,000 IPVA debts that have been registered as protests in Sorocaba. Of these, 27,100 debts have been settled, yet they continue to appear as delinquent because the debtors have not requested the cancellation of their records. The total amount associated with these resolved yet unrecorded debts stands at R$ 71.4 million. The situation reveals a compounded problem, as even those who have cleared their debts remain hindered by the lack of administrative follow-up.

Moreover, between 2024 and 2025, Sorocaba saw a dramatic increase of 172.3% in the registration of IPVA debts in the cartórios, which underscores the growing financial distress among its residents. This alarming trend not only threatens individual financial wellness but could also have broader long-term implications on the local economy as people struggle with their debts and their ability to access necessary financial services to improve their personal circumstances.