Tax Atlas

Brazil vs United States: tax comparison for expats & nomads

A sourced head-to-head on Brazil and United States: tax-residency rules, income tax rates, special regimes and nomad visas, side by side. Income tax only, not tax advice.

Effective income tax by income

An effective-rate comparison for this pair isn’t available yet (one country’s full bracket table is still being verified). The sourced fact comparison below still applies — and the interactive tool covers every modelled country.

Brazil vs United States, side by side

 BrazilUnited States
Top income tax rate27.5%PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries“Income tax is normally withheld at source, at rates varying from 0% to 27.5%, depending on the income bracket.”View source · accessed 2026-10-0937%PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries“For individuals, the top federal income tax rate for 2025 is 37%, except for long-term capital gains and qualified dividends”View source · accessed 2026-08-20
Tax-residency day threshold183 daysPresidência da República (Planalto), Decreto nº 9.580/2018 (Regulamento do Imposto sobre a Renda)“por qualquer outro motivo, e permanecer por período superior a cento e oitenta e três dias, consecutivos ou não, contados, no intervalo de doze meses, da data de qualquer chegada, em relação aos fatos geradores ocorridos a partir do dia subsequente àquele em que se completar o referido período de permanência.”View source · accessed 2026-10-09183 daysInternal Revenue Service (IRS)“You will be considered a United States resident for tax purposes if you meet the substantial presence test for the calendar year. To meet this test, you must be physically present in the United States (U.S.) on at least:”View source · accessed 2026-08-20
Signature tax regime[source]PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries“Residents of Brazil are taxed on their worldwide income, and non-residents are taxed exclusively at source on their Brazilian-sourced income. The source of income is determined by the place where the income payer is located, irrespective of where the work is performed.”View source · accessed 2026-10-09Foreign Earned Income Exclusion: USD 132,900 / yearInternal Revenue Service (IRS)“For tax year 2026, the foreign earned income exclusion is $132,900 up from $130,000 for tax year 2025.”View source · accessed 2026-08-20
Digital nomad visaYes — Digital nomad temporary visa (VITEM XIV) and temporary residence authorisationConselho Nacional de Imigração (CNIg), Resolução nº 45/2021, via Normas Brasil“comprovação de meios de subsistência, provenientes de fonte pagadora estrangeira, em montante mensal igual ou superior a US$ 1.500,00 (mil e quinhentos dólares) ou disponibilidade de fundos bancários no valor mínimo de US$ 18.000,00 (dezoito mil dólares).”View source · accessed 2026-10-09No
Nomad-visa income requirement——

Every figure links to its source and verification date. Full guides: Brazil · United States.

Frequently asked questions

Is Brazil or United States better for tax?

It depends on your income, residency status and which special regime you qualify for. Compare the residency rules, rates and regimes side by side below, and use the interactive tool for your own income.

Which has the lower tax-residency threshold, Brazil or United States?

Brazil treats you as tax resident after 183 days, and United States after 183 days. But ties like a home, family or economic centre can trigger residency on fewer days — never rely on a day count alone.

Does Brazil or United States have a digital nomad visa?

Brazil has a dedicated nomad/remote-work visa; United States has no dedicated digital-nomad visa. See the "Digital nomad visa" row below for the sourced detail.

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