Brazil
Key entity, tax, banking, visa, and compliance guidance for foreign founders incorporating in Brazil.
Foreign Ownership Eligibility
Brazil welcomes 100% foreign-owned companies
Fully remote formation — you never need to set foot in the country.
- Brazil supports local incorporation and taxable-presence models for foreign founders
- Tax stack is multi-layered across federal, state, and municipal systems
- Core onboarding uses REDESIM and Receita Federal channels
- Entity setup must account for ICMS, ISS, and PIS/COFINS footprint
Ownership
100% Foreign OK
Formation
100% Remote
Note
Incorporation timing and costs vary significantly by state Junta Comercial and municipal licensing requirements.
Tax at a glance
Brazil Tax Overview
IRPJ 15% + surcharge + CSLL generally 9%
Corporate taxes
PwC Brazil corporate taxes
ICMS (state-level)
State VAT equivalent
PwC Brazil other taxes
ISS generally 2%–5%
Municipal services tax
PwC Brazil other taxes
Employer INSS generally 20% (subject to regime)
Payroll baseline
PwC Brazil other taxes
Pros & cons
Advantages & Considerations
Key Advantages
Large market and regional scale
Mature federal onboarding and tax administration infrastructure
Clear legal frameworks for resident entities and taxable presence
Strong digital payments ecosystem for operations
Considerations
High compliance complexity across federal, state, and municipal taxes
Cost and timing vary by state-level and municipal process differences
Indirect tax architecture requires robust accounting systems
Incorporation Process
The process is strictly digital. Each stage builds on the previous one.
Define structure and state
File through REDESIM workflow
Activate tax registrations
Implement invoicing and tax engine
Set up payroll and remittances
What you'll pay
Cost Architecture
Government Fees
Annual Ongoing
Professional Services
No unified national filing fee table applies across all states and municipalities.
Still unsure about costs?
These are estimates — your actual cost depends on your structure
Every Brazil setup is different. A 15-minute call with one of our specialists will give you a personalised cost breakdown — completely free.
Fintech & Banking
Can non-residents open accounts without visiting? YES.
Banking options for non-resident founders in Brazil. Remote account opening availability varies by institution.
| Institution | Type | Ease for Non-Residents | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banco do Brasil | Traditional bank | Low (Visit Required) | KYC and compliance dependent • Varies by bank and service package • Bank specific • Corporate documents, CNPJ records, UBO data, proof of activity • PIX, TED, cards, online banking |
| Itau Unibanco | Traditional bank | Low (Visit Required) | KYC and compliance dependent • Varies by bank and service package • Bank specific • Corporate documents, CNPJ records, UBO data, proof of activity • PIX, TED, cards, online banking |
| Bradesco | Traditional bank | Low (Visit Required) | KYC and compliance dependent • Varies by bank and service package • Bank specific • Corporate documents, CNPJ records, UBO data, proof of activity • PIX, TED, cards, online banking |
| Santander Brasil | Traditional bank | Low (Visit Required) | KYC and compliance dependent • Varies by bank and service package • Bank specific • Corporate documents, CNPJ records, UBO data, proof of activity • PIX, TED, cards, online banking |
| Institution-dependent digital account options | Fintech | High (Remote) | KYC and compliance dependent • Varies by bank and service package • Bank specific • Corporate documents, CNPJ records, UBO data, proof of activity • PIX, TED, cards, online banking |
Regulatory requirements
Annual Compliance Matrix
| Requirement | Deadline | Details |
|---|---|---|
Federal/state/municipal tax filings | Ongoing | Comply across IRPJ/CSLL and applicable indirect tax systems. |
Electronic invoicing | Ongoing | Adopt required e-invoicing processes for commercial operations. |
Payroll and social contributions | Ongoing | Remit payroll deductions and employer obligations on statutory schedules. |
Annual tax and corporate maintenance | Ongoing | Maintain annual closing, returns, and registry upkeep. |
Frequently Asked
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