Services
Tax & Real Estate
Tax guidance for foreigners buying, owning, earning from or selling assets in Brazil, and for cross-border situations.
Non-residents are generally taxed on their Brazilian-source income, and the way a purchase or investment is structured can change the tax outcome significantly. The firm advises foreign clients before and after they acquire assets in Brazil, so the tax treatment is understood from the start.
Buying and owning property
Foreigners can acquire urban property in Brazil without holding residency, and the essential first step is obtaining a CPF (the Brazilian taxpayer ID). Ownership transfers only upon registration at the Cartório de Registro de Imóveis (Real Estate Registry). The firm advises on the taxes and steps involved, including the ITBI (municipal property transfer tax, due before registration), the annual IPTU (municipal property tax), income tax on rental income (generally withheld at source for non-residents through a DARF), and capital gains tax on sale.
Other matters
- Non-resident taxation and tax residency. When a foreigner becomes a Brazilian tax resident (for example, a permanent visa or more than 183 days in the country) and the obligations that follow, including the Comunicação de Saída Definitiva (formal exit declaration) for those leaving Brazil.
- Double taxation treaties. Brazil has tax treaties with around three dozen countries (including France, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal and Japan). Notably, there is no comprehensive treaty with the United States. The firm advises on treaty relief and foreign tax credits.
- Inheritance and gifts (ITCMD). The state tax on inheritance and donations, which affects foreign owners and heirs of Brazilian assets.
- Central Bank reporting (CBE). The annual declaration of foreign assets required from Brazilian tax residents, which carries significant penalties if missed.
- Corporate tax and the reform. Taxation of foreign-owned Brazilian companies and the impact of the CBS and IBS consumption tax reform, in transition between 2026 and 2033.
- Rural land. The special restrictions on rural property and border zones under Lei 5.709/71.
These are the most common situations; the firm advises on other tax matters affecting foreign clients.