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Understanding Brazil: The CPF
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By Volker Ruther
This is one in a series of helpful articles by Volker which are a collection of information and experiences about how and where to get documents and permissions, or how to resolve bureaucratic subjects and matters in Brazil as a foreigner.
Note that although the best efforts have been made to ensure the information is valid, we cannot guarantee that it is 100% correct, as the article is based on a mixture of personal experiences and information that has been collected from various sources like Internet sites, official documents and an exchange of experiences with other foreigners in Brazil. Also even Brazilian law is subject to change, and often difficult to interpret.
Always check your own situation via a suitable source e.g. consulate or appropriately qualified lawyer, before proceeding.
A document that is used for various things in Brazil, from joining a video club through to your individual tax registration, is the CPF, Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas (Registration of a Physical Person).
To get the CPF you need the following documents:
- Passport
- Prove of residence in Brazil (phone or light bill)
- Wedding or Birth Certificate
(It's necessary to present a document that has the names of your parents)
No photocopy is necessary, but all documents not in Portuguese must be translated by a sworn translator.
You can apply for the CPF at the local office of the Receita Federal, in agencies of the Banco do Brasil or Caixa Exonomic Federal. Usually the CPF number will be created immediately or within one or two working days. After one week you can check your CPF number on the web site of the Receita Federal, and within a few weeks you will receive the CPF card by mail at your residence in Brazil.
It's also possible to apply for a CPF from your home country via the local Brazilian Embassy and the Consulates. Just print out the application form available on the Internet (http://www.receita.fazenda.gov.br/Aplicacoes/ATCTA/CpfEstrangeiro/cpfingles.htm) and hand in the application at the Brazilian Consulate, which is responsible for you place of residence.
The CPF is very important in daily life in Brazil. It is often used as ID. You will need a CPF for example to open a bank account, buy a TV, a car, etc.
Once a CPF has been issued to you, you have to do a tax declaration every year (except the year you received the CPF). There are two options of declaration:
- Declaração de Imposto de Renda (If you earn R$ 13,968 per year or more)
- Declaração de Insento de Impostos (If you don't have income in Brazil or
it's less than R$13,968 per year)
Both declarations can be made via Internet on the homepage of the Receita Federal (www.receita.fazenda.gov.br). The Declaração de Imposto de Renda is usually done in March and April and the Declaração de Insento de Impostos in October and November.
If you don't do any of these two declarations for two years the CPF will be deactivated, and to re-activate the CPF you will have to go to the nearest office of the Receita Federal and justify why you did not do the declaration.
After paying a fee the CPF will be re-activated. You can find more information and detail about the CPF and other tax and duty related issues on this site: http://www.receita.fazenda.gov.br.
To contact Volker, as well as get a copy of his free eBook (PDF) of this information, send an email to mineiro_alemao@hotmail.com.
Previous articles by Volker:
Understanding Brazil: CTPS - The Work CardUnderstanding Brazil: CIE - Foreigners ID CardUnderstanding Brazil: The Permanent Visa
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11/15/2006
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