Advance on Pix was a political mistake, not a communication one
The decision to increase the inspection on Pix was clumsy and aimed to increase collection at the time of Lula’s greatest wear and tear with public opinion
After all the controversy around the new Pix inspection rules, the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula a Silva (PT) suspended the measure. He blamed for distortions that would have been made from the instructions.
To the facts: the tax authorities had determined in September 2024 that card operators, digital banks and payment apps inform the IRS about transfers of more than R$ 5,000 for individuals and R$ 15,000 for companies.
The new measure would make the Federal Revenue Service increase the inspection of informals.
The secretary of the Federal Revenue Service, Robinson Barreirinhas, was the one who took the decision to the press. He said: “People distorted, so we decided to revoke it.” It’s an exaggeration from the secretary.
There were, yes, distortions in the measure. Some said there would be a tax on Pix, which is not true. But with greater supervision, informal workers who previously did not pay taxes could start paying. For them, it would be a new charge. It’s not Pix tax. But it’s a new tax.
The reaction was fierce, especially on social networks. Interest in the subject skyrocketed. And the fear of using the operation also appeared. In the first two weeks of 2025, the volume of Pix operations was the lowest in 6 months.
The revocation comes at a time when the polls show Lula weakened by public opinion. It has its lowest approval rate since the beginning of the government, according to PoderData.
And nothing worse than a new charge that would catch especially the poorest.
In the political arena, it was a new defeat for Fernando Haddad. In the past, as unpopular as it was, the Minister of Finance implemented the “shopping tax”. Today, Haddad doesn’t have the same traction. His party, the PT, joined the chorus of those who wanted the measure to be overthrown.
Lula changed the command of Secom (Secretariat of Communication). He appointed his marketer Sidônio Palmeira after firing PT’s Paulo Pimenta.
The premise was that the government’s problems originated in communication.
The advance on Pix was a wrong measure for the moment. It’s not about good or bad communication. But of good or bad political management of the themes. Haddad showed inability in this driving. And it came out smaller than the one entered.
Now, the government will use an MP (Provisionary Measure) to equalize payments in Pix and cash. According to Haddad, the rule will protect the digital payment method from taxes and bank secrecy breaches. In practice, extra charges on payments using Pix will be closed.
Poder 360’
By Guilherme Waltenberg…
‘translation: the Hotspotorlando News