Podcast: the zero deficit and the pressure on Haddad – Folha – 08/31/2023 – Podcasts

The 2024 Budget proposal, which arrives at Congress this Thursday (31), provides for BRL 168 billion in extra revenue to achieve the goal of zero deficit sought by the Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddad. The government has still uncertain sources, which depend on the approval of the Legislature, to make the account close.

Uncertainty about the sources of revenue has generated pressure within the government itself to re-discuss the fiscal target by the end of the year. The Ministry of Finance treats this movement as a “friendly fire” and argues that the goal of zeroing the deficit is fundamental to stabilizing the public debt.

Among the initiatives to raise revenue is the bill that changes the rules for adjudicating tax disputes in the Administrative Council of Tax Appeals (Carf), approved on Wednesday night (30) by the Senate and which was signed by President Lula. The government’s expectation is to have R$ 55 billion more with the measure.

Also foreseen in the Budget are the provisional measure to tax exclusive investment funds in Brazil and the bill to tax offshore funds and resources – together, the two sources can yield more than R$ 20 billion in revenues.

This Thursday’s (31st) episode of Café da Manhã discusses the controversies surrounding the target of zeroing the deficit next year, addresses the challenges for this commitment to be achieved and analyzes the government’s plans to close the account. The podcast interviews Vinicius Torres Freire, columnist for Sheet.

The audio program is published on Spotify, streaming service partner of Sheet in the initiative and which specializes in music, podcast and video. You can listen to the episode by clicking above. To access the application, just register for free.

Breakfast is published from Monday to Friday, always at the beginning of the day. The episode is presented by journalists Gabriela Mayer and Magê Flores, with production by Carolina Moraes, Laila Mouallem and Victor Lacombe. Sound editing is by Thomé Granemann and Raphael Concli.