What’s a Nota Fiscal?

So you make a purchase and you get a receipt, right? In Brazil, however, sometimes you’ll get what’s called a Nota Fiscal instead.

A Nota Fiscal is a tax document that retailers and service providers in Brazil must issue after receiving your payment. A Nota Fiscal can come in many forms. At a grocery store, for example, the clerk will print it out and hand it to you. When you make a purchase online, you’ll likely get an electronic version.

Despite these minor differences, they all have the same purpose - to calculate and pay taxes correctly. It serves as a record to document the transaction for booking purposes and, if necessary, tax auditing. It also acts as a tool for companies to control their stock.

For consumers, a Nota Fiscal is also a crucial document. Imagine the product you bought is defective and you need to return it. Guess what’s the first document you’ll be asked for when you go back to the store? And in the worst-case scenario, you’ll need the Nota Fiscal to file a lawsuit against the retailer.

Consumers can help ensure that companies comply with their tax reporting requirements. For example, after buying a pair of shoes at a store, you can ask the clerk to include your taxpayer ID number (CPF) on the Nota Fiscal. In return, you’ll get a credit back for part of the taxes you paid. And if you don’t get your credit, it’s possible the company never reported the transaction.

So the next time you’re dining out, ask for that Nota Fiscal. It could save you little.