PIS and COFINS: How to Calculate Contributions in 2026
PIS (Social Integration Program) and COFINS (Contribution for the Financing of Social Security) are two federal contributions that affect companies' revenue and that, in practice, directly impact the price of products and services in Brazil. Together, they represent one of the largest tax burdens on company revenues — and understanding them is essential for any entrepreneur, accountant or financial manager.
Use our PIS/COFINS Calculator to calculate automatically.
What are PIS and COFINS?
PIS (Social Integration Program) is a social contribution established by Complementary Law 7/1970, intended to finance unemployment insurance and salary bonuses for low-income workers.
COFINS (Contribution for Social Security Financing) is a contribution established by Complementary Law 70/1991, intended for financing social security (pension, health and social assistance).
Both affect the gross turnover or gross revenue of legal entities, with rates and regimes that vary depending on the company's tax framework.
Two Regimes: Cumulative vs Non-Cumulative
The main distinction in calculating PIS/COFINS is the company's tax regime:
Cumulative Regime
Who uses it: Companies included in the Presumed Profit or simplified regimes (except Simples Nacional, which has its own rules).
| Contribution | Tax rate |
|---|---|
| PIS | 0.65% |
| COFINS | 3.00% |
| Total PIS + COFINS | 3.65% |
How it works: They are levied directly on gross revenue, without credit discounts (hence the name "cumulative" — the tax accumulates at each stage of the production chain).
Calculation: Extremely simple.
PIS = Gross Revenue × 0.65%
COFINS = Gross Revenue × 3.00%
Non-Cumulative Regime
Who uses it: Companies included in Real Profit.
| Contribution | Tax rate |
|---|---|
| PIS | 1.65% |
| COFINS | 7.60% |
| Total PIS + COFINS | 9.25% |
How it works: The rates are higher, but the company is entitled to rebate PIS/COFINS credits paid in previous stages of the chain (purchases of inputs, raw materials, electricity, etc.). The objective is to tax only the added value.
Calculation:
PIS Due = (Gross Revenue × 1.65%) − PIS Credits
COFINS Due = (Gross Revenue × 7.60%) − COFINS Credits
Comparative Practical Examples
Scenario: Company with gross revenue of $500,000/month
Cumulative Regime (Presumed Profit)
PIS = R$ 500.000 × 0,65% = R$ 3.250,00
COFINS = R$ 500.000 × 3,00% = R$ 15.000,00
Total PIS + COFINS = R$ 18.250,00
Non-Cumulative Regime (Real Profit) — no credits
PIS = R$ 500.000 × 1,65% = R$ 8.250,00
COFINS = R$ 500.000 × 7,60% = R$ 38.000,00
Total bruto = R$ 46.250,00
Non-Cumulative Regime — with credits of $200,000 in purchases
Crédito PIS = R$ 200.000 × 1,65% = R$ 3.300,00
Crédito COFINS = R$ 200.000 × 7,60% = R$ 15.200,00
PIS Devido = R$ 8.250 − R$ 3.300 = R$ 4.950,00
COFINS Devida = R$ 38.000 − R$ 15.200 = R$ 22.800,00
Total Devido = R$ 27.750,00
In this scenario, despite the higher rates, the non-cumulative regime generated a cost of $ 27.750 — maior que o cumulativo ($ 18,250). This illustrates that non-cumulative is more advantageous only when credits are high.
Which Expenses Generate Credit in the Non-Cumulative Regime?
The expenses that generate PIS/COFINS credit are listed in Laws 10,637/2002 and 10,833/2003:
| Expense | Generate Credit? |
|---|---|
| Purchase of goods for resale | ✅ Yes |
| Inputs in the production of goods/services | ✅ Yes |
| Electrical and thermal energy consumed | ✅ Yes |
| Rental of buildings, machinery and equipment | ✅ Yes |
| Depreciation of machines and buildings | ✅ Yes |
| Storage and freight in sales operations | ✅ Yes |
| Goods acquired for fixed assets | ✅ Yes (partial) |
| Salaries and labor charges | ❌ No |
| Financial expenses | ❌ No (as a rule) |
| Services provided by PF | ❌ No |
| General administrative expenses | ❌ No |
PIS/COFINS in Simples Nacional
Companies opting for Simples Nacional have PIS and COFINS already included in the DAS (Simples Nacional Collection Document). The rates are automatically calculated based on the accumulated revenue of the last 12 months, according to the Simples Annexes.
In Simples Nacional, PIS and COFINS are not calculated separately — they are part of the single Simples rate. There is no right to PIS/COFINS credits for Simples companies.
The total effective rates of Simples vary from:
- Commerce: 4% to 11.61% (general table)
- Industry: 4.5% to 12.11%
- Services: 6% to 33% (depending on the Annex)
PIS/COFINS on Imports
For imported products, there is a separate incidence:
| PIS-Import | COFINS-Import | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard merchandise tax rate | 2.10% | 9.65% |
| Standard service rate | 1.65% | 7.60% |
The calculation basis is the customs value plus ICMS and the contributions themselves ("inside" calculation).
Comparative Table of Tax Regimes and PIS/COFINS
| Regime | PIS | COFINS | Total | Credits? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simples Nacional | Included in DAS | Included in DAS | — | No |
| Presumed Profit | 0.65% | 3.00% | 3.65% | No |
| Real Profit | 1.65% | 7.60% | 9.25% | Yes |
| MEI | Exempt | Exempt | 0% | No |
Sectors with Special PIS/COFINS Regimes
Some sectors have different regimes by law:
- Fuels: Single-phase regime (concentrated on the producer/importer, exempt in the following stages)
- Medicines: Single-phase regimen with specific rates
- Drinks: Tax substitution regime
- Financial entities: Specific rates (4% PIS + 4% COFINS = 4.65% on revenue)
- Civil construction: Special credit on materials incorporated into the work
Common Errors in Calculating PIS/COFINS
Apply the non-cumulative rates on the Presumed Profit: The Presumed Profit must use the cumulative regime (0.65% + 3%).
Include exempt revenue in the calculation base: Exports, financial revenue (in some cases) and revenue from specific services may be exempt or have a zero rate.
Taking advantage of undue credits: Salaries, for example, do not generate PIS/COFINS credit, even if they are a cost of the operation.
Not controlling accumulated credits: Credits that exceed the monthly debt can be offset against other federal taxes or requests for cash reimbursement from the Federal Revenue Service.
Confuse with ISS: The ISS (Service Tax) is municipal and separate from PIS/COFINS. Service companies pay both on revenue.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What are PIS and COFINS on the bill/NF?
PIS and COFINS are federal contributions on the selling company's revenue. Although embedded in the price of the product or service, they are the responsibility of the legal entity that issues the invoice — not the individual buyer. The individual buyer does not pay PIS/COFINS directly, but bears it indirectly through prices.
2. What is the difference between cumulative and non-cumulative PIS/COFINS?
In the cumulative regime (Presumptive Profit), the rates are lower (0.65% + 3% = 3.65%), but there is no discount on credits — the tax accumulates at each stage of the chain. In non-cumulative (Real Profit), the rates are higher (1.65% + 7.60% = 9.25%), but the company can deduct credits for purchases and inputs, taxing only the added value.
3. MEI pays PIS and COFINS?
No. Individual Microentrepreneurs (MEI) are exempt from PIS and COFINS. MEI only collects a fixed monthly amount through SIMEI, which covers INSS, ISS (if services) and/or ICMS (if commerce/industry).
4. Can I request a refund of accumulated PIS/COFINS credits?
Yes. Non-cumulative regime companies with an accumulated credit balance can request cash reimbursement from the Federal Revenue Service via PER/DCOMP, or offset against other federal taxes (IRPJ, CSLL, IRRF, etc.). The process can be time-consuming, but it is a right guaranteed by law.
5. Do exports pay PIS and COFINS?
No. Exports of goods and services are immune to PIS and COFINS — the rates are zero by constitutional determination. Exporting companies accumulate PIS/COFINS credits related to purchases of inputs for the production of exported goods, which can be reimbursed.
6. How does PIS/COFINS impact the final price for the consumer?
PIS/COFINS is incorporated into the sales price. In Presumed Profit, the company typically passes on 3.65% of the price as PIS/COFINS. In non-cumulative, the actual cost depends on the value-added margin. The cascade effect of the cumulative regime tends to increase prices further in long production chains.
Calculate Now
Use our PIS/COFINS Calculator to automatically calculate the value of contributions under the cumulative and non-cumulative regime, with credit analysis.
Related calculators:
- Simple National Calculator vs Presumed Profit — compare tax regimes
- MEI Simulator — see MEI limits and costs
- Autonomous Fee Calculator — calculate billing as a PJ
- Income Tax Calculator — calculate the annual IRPF