In a recent decision handed down in Special Appeal No. 1.733.560/SC, the Second Panel of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) recognized the non-applicability of the Corporate Income Tax (IRPJ), Social Contribution on Net Income (CSLL), PIS and COFINS on real estate swap arrangements carried out by companies opting for the presumed profit taxation regime.

The head section of article 464 of the Consolidated Labor Laws (CLT) provides that "the payment of salaries shall be accompanied by a receipt, signed by the employee." The sole paragraph of this legal provision provides that "proof of deposit into a bank account opened for that purpose, on behalf of the employee, with the consent of the latter, in a credit facility near the place of work shall be required." In other words, a bank deposit made by the employer into an account opened for this purpose, with the consent of the employee, is equated to a signed payment receipt.

Federal Law No. 13,726/18, or the De-bureaucratization Law, enacted in October, not only authorizes, but also obliges public servants to dispense with or at least simplify formalities or requirements in their dealings with citizens. Among them are the following

In unanimously deciding to dismiss an administrative proceeding initiated to investigate an alleged cartel in the Brazilian and international market for electronic power steering systems (EPS), the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Cade)’s Tribunal indicated last month that it will require a more robust standard of proof to demonstrate participation in antitrust conduct in cases originating from leniency agreements.

In 2013, shortly after scandals involving the manipulation of exchange rates and interest rates became public, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) published a report in response to a consultation on rules applicable to financial benchmarks. Not surprisingly, concerns were raised about the fragility of certain benchmarks, particularly in terms of integrity and continuity.

Law No. 13,467/2017, known as the Labor Reform, has been in force for more than a year, but, to date, not all of the amendments it proposed to the Consolidated Labor Laws (CLT) have been reviewed by the Labor Courts. This is the case for the exceptions to salary equalization, such as organized career frameworks and job and salary plans.