The Brazilian Income Tax (IR) declarations for the year 2026 are set to open on March 23, starting at 8 a.m. Taxpayers who must submit their declarations include those who earned taxable income, such as salaries, pensions, or rental income, exceeding R$ 35,584 throughout the previous year (2025). The deadline for submission is 11:59 p.m. on May 29, and late filers may face fines starting at R$ 165.74.

A key announcement made in 2025 regarding an increase in the tax-exempt threshold for individuals earning up to R$ 5,000 monthly is not applicable for the upcoming declaration, leaving the current tax rules intact and only expected to affect the declaration to be submitted a year later. According to Charles Gularte, a director at Contabilizei, there have been no changes in the legislation regarding how the different types of income are taxed, whether taxable, exempt, or subject to different tax treatments.

Taxpayers need to pay close attention to the details of their income declarations to minimize the risk of being caught in the back tax audit, commonly referred to as the 'malha fina'. As this year's tax season approaches, ensuring an accurate and timely submission becomes crucial for those liable to file.