Tax collections for the 2026 fiscal year have already begun; Understand the consequences of delaying the payment of the tax
The collection of the Motor Vehicle Property Tax (IPVA) for the 2026 fiscal year has already started in Brazilian states, where taxpayers can choose to pay in cash or in installments. However, this is an expense that weighs on the pocket of Brazilians, so many fail to pay it on time and this has consequences.
In this article you can check what happens if the driver does not pay the tax. Can he be arrested? Can the car be impounded? Is it a fine? Understand the impacts of this pending issue on the car document, penalties and possible losses.
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Not paying the tax on the stipulated date generates several problems for the driver and/or vehicle owner. First, while the tax is not paid, the owner is prevented from licensing and an eventual transfer of the car.
In addition, a small fine is added for each day of delay up to the limit of 20% and the charge starts to have monthly interest equivalent to the Selic rate or 1%, whichever is higher. Once a certain date is reached, when the traffic authorities start to charge the updated Vehicle Registration and Licensing Certificate (CRLV, the car document), the situation becomes a little more complex.
Contrary to what many people think, failing to pay the IPVA does not give you a fine directly, but if you do not pay, you will eventually be fined. This is because, in order to issue the CRLV, a mandatory carrying document, it is necessary to pay the tax.
If you do not make the payment, you will be prevented from renewing the licensing. In this way, without the license up to date, then the driver is committing a traffic violation and can be punished with a fine and seizure of the vehicle. This is provided for in the fifth item of article 230 of the Brazilian Traffic Code (CTB):
Art. 230 – Driving the vehicle:
V – that is not registered and duly licensed”;
In addition, the owner may have his name registered in the active debt of the State, a fact that prevents the provision of public tenders and hinders financing. It is also worth remembering that if the vehicle is seized, the owner must regularize the situation of the asset. It is necessary to pay not only the amount of the tax, but the fines and fees to remove the car from the yard of the State Department of Traffic (Detran). Being late with the IPVA does not lead to imprisonment, although it generates a lot of headaches.
Despite all these consequences, you who have not yet paid the IPVA 2026 and are circulating normally or plan to travel, most likely do not need to worry, as the updated licensing should not be requested for the time being.
This is because in several states the payment schedules are extensive due to the option to pay the amount in installments, with some installments arriving by the end of 2026. In this way, inspections will also be late, so if you are stopped by any authority and have the CRLV 2025 you can rest assured.
Attention! It is important to reinforce that the vehicle can be seized, or towed, but not for non-payment of the IPVA, but for the absence of updated annual licensing. Towing a car for late IPVA is an illegal practice, because it is configured as a coercive charge. In addition, there is no article in the Brazilian Traffic Code (CTB) that determines this practice.
Although updated licensing is not yet being charged in most states, it is important to check the calendar of where you live and check when inspections begin. It is also worth remembering that the delay in the tax generates interest, so don’t forget to pay it.
