Government of Pará increases the amount of tax exemption for the incentive of cultural projects through the Semear Program

The government of Pará has increased the amount of financial resources allocated for the realization of cultural projects in the State through tax incentives by R$ 5 million. The change was published in the official state gazette on Wednesday (8) and alters the ceiling from R$ 25 million to R$ 30 million for the financial year 2025.

“In practice, this means that more cultural projects approved by the Semear program's public notice can be realized. It is more incentive for culture, more job creation, and more growth for our State,” explains the president of the Cultural Foundation of Pará (FCP), Thiago Miranda.

The Semear program is one of the main public policies for cultural incentives in Pará, 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$ 30 million, consolidating the State's commitment to promoting Pará's cultural production.

Incentive - This is the second funding received by the Semear Program just this year. In June, Decree No. 4725, of June 11, 2025, expanded the discount range 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 the change, the State government has expanded the reach of the Semear Program and created new possibilities for companies of different sizes to invest in culture, boosting the creative economy and strengthening Pará's artistic production.

Under the new rule, small companies can deduct up to 10% of the ICMS owed; medium-sized companies are entitled to up to 7% discount, and 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 - Decree No. 4725 also establishes that sponsorship can be compensated 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) are responsible for monitoring and overseeing the entire process, from project approval to the issuance of Tax Incentive Certificates (CIF) and mandatory accounting. This 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.