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Brazil CNPJ number guide

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Cadastro Nacional da Pessoa Jurídica – CNPJ​

The “Cadastro Nacional da Pessoa Jurídica – CNPJ” is an identification number issued to entities (including companies, partnerships and foundations) of relevance for the tax administration. (Administrative Act – IN RFB 2.119/22)

Format 14-digit number formatted as NN.NNN.NNN/AAAA-CC (the first 8 digits identify the company, the 4 digits after the / identify the branch or subsidiary, the last 2 are check digits)

Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas – CPF​

The “Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas – CPF” is a number attributed to both national and resident taxpayers (Administrative Act – IN 1.548/15). The Secretariat of the Federal Revenue of Brazil (RFB) assigns a unique number to each person enrolled in its registries

Format It consists of 11 digits (the 2 last numbers are the result of an arithmetic operation on the 9 previous ones)

CPF
CPF
CIN
ID Card(“Carteira de Identidade Nacional” – CIN)

Foreigners​

Typically, individuals or entities, whether natural or legal persons, who are non-residents and possess specific assets in Brazil, such as real estate, vehicles, stakes in a company or partnership, bank accounts, or investments, are obligated to undergo registration with the CPF or CNPJ.

Frequently Asked Questions​

What is the difference between CNPJ, CPF, and Inscrição Estadual?​

  • CNPJ (Cadastro Nacional da Pessoa Jurídica): The federal tax ID for businesses and legal entities (14 digits). A company must have this to operate. [2]
  • CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas): The federal tax ID for individuals (11 digits). Every resident (and foreigners with assets) needs one. [1]
  • Inscrição Estadual (IE): A state-level tax registration required only for companies that sell physical goods or provide transport/communication services (ICMS taxpayers). Service providers often don't need this. [3]

How can I verify if a CNPJ is active?​

You can check the status of a CNPJ individually on the official Receita Federal website. [2]

Pro Tip: For reliable, bulk, or API-based verification, we recommend using Lookuptax to automate compliance checks.

Can a foreigner get a CPF?​

Yes. Foreigners (even non-residents) can and often must obtain a CPF to own assets, open bank accounts, or sometimes even to make online purchases in Brazil. You can apply via the Receita Federal's online form for foreigners. [1]

Do I need an Inscrição Estadual (IE)?​

You typically only need an IE if your business involves selling physical goods, manufacturing, or providing inter-state transportation services. If you are a pure service provider (e.g., consulting, software dev), you usually only need a CNPJ and a municipal registration (Inscrição Municipal). [3]

What formats are used for Brazilian Tax IDs?​

  • CNPJ: 14 digits, formatted as XX.XXX.XXX/0001-XX.
  • CPF: 11 digits, formatted as XXX.XXX.XXX-XX.

My CPF status is "Suspended". What does this mean?​

A "Suspended" (Suspensa) status usually means there is a discrepancy in your registration data (e.g., name, mother's name, date of birth) or you failed to vote in an election without justifying it. You must regularize it via the Receita Federal website. [1]

Can a foreign company issue a "Nota Fiscal" (Invoice) in Brazil?​

No, not directly. To issue a valid Brazilian tax invoice (Nota Fiscal), you must have a local CNPJ and a Digital Certificate (e-CNPJ). This is a major blocker for B2B sales, as Brazilian companies require a Nota Fiscal to deduct the expense. Foreigners typically use a "Merchant of Record" to handle this. [2]

Why do Brazilian clients complain about "Withholding Tax" on my invoice?​

When a Brazilian company pays a foreign entity that is not registered in Brazil, they are legally required to withhold significant taxes at the source, including IRRF (Income Tax, usually 15% or 25%), CIDE (10%), PIS/COFINS (~9.25%), and ISS (2-5%). This can increase the total cost by 40%+, making foreign services expensive compared to local competitors. [4]

Can I accept PIX payments without a local entity?​

You cannot receive PIX payments directly into a foreign bank account. To accept PIX (Brazil's instant payment system), you must use a local payment processor (PSP) or Merchant of Record that collects the BRL locally and remits the funds to you abroad. [5]

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