Leasing or Cash Purchase: Which Structure Makes More Sense for Executive Aircraft?

Choosing between aircraft leasing vs purchase is one of the most strategic financial decisions for companies operating executive aircraft in Brazil. There is no universal answer, but a few patterns can help guide the decision. For example, leasing tends to be more advantageous when a company wants to preserve cash. It also fits an expansion phase that requires capital for other priorities, or a structure aligned with broader estate and wealth planning. Outright purchase, on the other hand, usually makes more sense when there is long-term predictability of use. It also suits companies with the capacity to pay without compromising other operations, and with an interest in holding the asset outright.

Between these two extremes, there are also hybrid models. For instance, leasing with a purchase option at the end of the contract can balance both logics.

What changed in aircraft leasing taxation? What changes in practice!

Brazil’s federal tax authority, Receita Federal, confirms that PIS and Cofins will cease to exist in 2027. Meanwhile, CBS and IBS will begin entering the new system. The transition from ICMS/ISS to IBS, in turn, will take place gradually from 2029 to 2032.

A particularly important point for leasing

Complementary Law 214 (LC 214) expressly provides for tax credits under the new IBS/CBS system. Specifically, a lessee under the Lucro Real (actual profit) regime will be able to claim credits based on the installments paid and the residual value. These credits remain subject to the applicable legal rules.

In practice, this can be quite relevant for a company that currently uses leasing as a tool for acquiring aircraft, machinery, vehicles, or equipment.

On the other hand, taxation of the lessor also changes. In financial leasing, for example, taxation occurs on a cash basis on the lease payments and the residual value. Specific rules apply for determining the tax base in each case.

What about depreciation / corporate income tax (IRPJ) / social contribution (CSLL) benefits?

First, it’s important to separate things out.

The consumption Tax Reform does not directly replace IRPJ and CSLL. Therefore, benefits related to deductibility, depreciation, and the tax treatment of leasing for IRPJ/CSLL purposes do not simply disappear because IBS/CBS is introduced.

What changes significantly is the layer of consumption taxes (PIS/Cofins, ICMS, and ISS) and whether leasing generates IBS/CBS credits. In short, this analysis shows that leasing will remain advantageous after 2027.

Aircraft Leasing vs Purchase: Savixx Trading’s Role in Your Decision

Regardless of the structure chosen, leasing and cash purchases of executive aircraft in Brazil involve complex international operations. These include negotiation with foreign lessors or sellers, foreign-exchange structuring, tax and customs classification, and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions. This is where Savixx Trading, specialized in executive aviation, comes in, structuring the operation end-to-end so that the decision is made with full confidence.

Talk to Savixx

Every operation has particularities that deserve dedicated analysis. Savixx Trading structures import and leasing operations for executive aircraft, focusing on tax efficiency and security for CFOs, controllers, and aviation business owners. In the end, talk to our team and find out which structure makes the most sense for your case.