State Government expands the granting of tax incentives for the realization of cultural projects
New decree raises the ICMS discount ceiling to up to 10%, expands participation of small and medium enterprises, and strengthens support for cultural production in the state
Published in the edition of this Thursday (12) of the Official State Gazette, Decree No. 4725, of June 11, 2025, brings an important change in the tax incentive policy for culture in Pará. From now on, companies located in the state that support cultural projects approved by the Cultural Foundation of Pará (FCP), through the Semear Program, will be able to obtain larger discounts on the payment of the Tax on Circulation of Goods and Services (ICMS). The new discount ceiling rises from 3% to up to 10%.
With this change, the State Government expands the reach of the Semear Program and creates new possibilities for companies of different sizes to invest in culture, boosting the creative economy and strengthening artistic production in Pará.
"In practice, this means that we have expanded the range of companies that can sponsor cultural projects through the Semear Program. For example, if before we had only a dozen companies that could use 3% of the ICMS generated for sponsorships, now we will have five dozen companies eligible to invest in culture, because the increase to 7% or 10% will reach medium and small companies, in addition to the large and giant companies that naturally already participate in Semear," explained the president of the Cultural Foundation of Pará, Thiago Miranda.
Under the new rule, small companies will be able to deduct up to 10% of the ICMS due; medium-sized companies will be entitled to up to 7% discount; while large companies remain with the ceiling of 3%. To ensure a real commitment to culture, the decree also establishes that companies must invest at least 5% of the project value with their own resources, in addition to the incentivized amount.
Another important novelty is that the tax incentive can also be used by companies that contribute directly to the State Fund for Cultural Promotion (FEPAC), expanding financing possibilities for projects and actions in the cultural area.
Security in execution and oversight - The new decree also establishes that sponsorship can be offset with a presumed credit of up to 95% of the total amount invested by the company. However, this compensation can only be made 30 days after the transfer of resources to the cultural project, as a way to ensure the security and proper execution of the projects.
In addition, the Cultural Foundation of Pará and the State Department of Finance (Sefa) will be responsible for monitoring and overseeing the entire process, from project approval to the issuance of Tax Incentive Certificates (CIF) and mandatory accounting. The measure ensures transparency and control over the invested resources.
For those who attempt to defraud the system, the decree provides for strict penalties: fines of up to twice the amount of the credit used improperly, in addition to civil and criminal sanctions.
Support for culture - Semear is one of the main public policies for cultural incentive in Pará, being responsible for financing artistic, cultural, and research projects. The increase in the incentive ceiling demonstrates the strengthening of the program in recent years. In 2021, the limit was R$ 5 million. Now, in 2025, this amount has jumped to R$ 25 million, consolidating the state's commitment to promoting cultural production in Pará.
With the new decree, the Government of Pará enhances the role of the cultural sector as a tool for development, income generation, and preservation of the state's cultural identity and diversity.
