Commission approves tax incentives to protect water resources on properties

The Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, Supply and Rural Development of the Chamber of Deputies approved on Wednesday (15) Bill 366/19, by deputy Alceu Moreira (MDB-RS), which creates tax and credit incentives for owners of rural properties that adopt actions to protect and recover water resources, such as rivers and springs.

The proposal received a favorable opinion from the committee's rapporteur, deputy Pedro Lupion (DEM-PR). “There is no doubt about the importance of recognizing that rural landowners, by maintaining tree cover on their properties, especially around springs and along watercourses, generate significant benefits to society”, said the rapporteur.

According to the project, the actions that will give the right to incentives are the restoration of riparian forests and forests useful for recharging aquifers, and the execution of rural works or the adoption of technologies to control erosion and siltation of rivers, streams and reservoirs.

The Executive Branch will define the criteria for qualifying owners for tax and credit incentives. The text provides for the disqualification, with refund of the amounts received, of those who fail to meet the required requirements.

Incentives

Among the tax incentives in the proposal are exemption from Rural Land Property Tax (ITR) for small owners or owners of properties up to four tax modules (the area of ​​which, in hectares, varies by municipality), and a 50% discount on the ITR for others producers. The ITR is a federal tax paid by rural property owners.

The text also establishes a discount in the Income Tax (IR) calculation base for expenses with the protection of water resources, according to limits described in the project. Among the credit benefits are loans with interest rates lower than those charged for official financing lines.

Conduct

The project, which is being processed conclusively, will also be analyzed by the Environment and Sustainable Development committees; Finance and Taxation; and Constitution and Justice and Citizenship.