What is the cheapest way to receive dollars in Brazil?

A US account that accepts ACH/RTP, so you are paid domestically in the US with no SWIFT and no outbound IOF, then hold or convert as needed. Ruvo gives you that.

Why is there 0% IOF with Ruvo?

Because dollars move on stablecoin rails and spend on an international card, which are not traditional câmbio operations. You pay a transparent fee instead.

Do these guides give tax advice?

No. They are informational and use official sources (Receita Federal, the IOF decree). For your own tax situation, confirm with an accountant.

What is the difference between IOF and the FX spread?

IOF is a federal government tax on financial operations — the rate is set by law and every provider must apply it equally. The FX spread is the private margin between the commercial exchange rate and the rate you are actually offered. When you move dollars, you may pay both, and the spread can be just as large as the IOF.

What is SWIFT and why is it expensive?

SWIFT is the global network banks use to send international transfer instructions. It is expensive because the payment passes through several correspondent banks, each of which can charge a fee, and from Brazil an outbound wire can also carry 3.5% IOF on top of the FX spread.

Can Brazilians receive ACH payments?

Yes. With US account details — a routing number and account number — you can receive ACH payments from US employers, clients and platforms exactly as any US company or employee would. No SWIFT, no correspondent banks, no outbound IOF.

Which dollar rate should I track?

The commercial dollar (dólar comercial) is the right reference — it is what Google, Bloomberg and financial portals show. But that rate is just the starting point. What you actually receive also depends on the FX spread the provider charges and any IOF that applies. Watching the rate without accounting for those two can be misleading.

USD account & IOF

Dollar accounts and IOF, explained for Brazilians

USD accountIOFFX spreadSWIFT & ACH

How dollars actually move (SWIFT, ACH, stablecoin), what you really pay (IOF and FX spread), and the 2026 tax picture. The plain-language guides behind every fee.

Person reviewing a dollar account on their phone

How international dollar payments actually work

Moving dollars internationally to Brazil involves three layers every time: the payment rail that carries the transfer (SWIFT, ACH or stablecoin), the FX spread charged on conversion, and IOF — Brazil's federal tax on foreign-exchange operations. Most people focus on the exchange rate, but the rail determines the tax and the spread. A traditional SWIFT wire can carry 3.5% IOF plus a 3–6% spread; an ACH into a US account is often free and avoids the SWIFT chain entirely; stablecoin settlement settles in seconds with 0% IOF. This cluster of guides breaks down each piece.

SWIFT, ACH and stablecoin: why the rail matters

How dollars arrive shapes both what you pay and how long you wait. A SWIFT transfer passes through one or more correspondent banks, takes one to five business days, and can trigger up to 3.5% IOF on outbound remittances from Brazil. An ACH transfer stays inside the US banking system, is typically free, and is the standard way US employers, clients and marketplaces pay. Stablecoin rails settle in seconds with 0% IOF under current rules. For side-by-side comparisons: ACH vs SWIFT and stablecoin vs SWIFT.

IOF and the FX spread: the two costs hidden in every quote

Once dollars arrive, converting to reais involves two costs that are often buried in the rate you are offered. IOF is a federal tax — up to 3.5% on traditional foreign-exchange operations, 0% on stablecoin-settled accounts. The FX spread is the margin between the commercial rate (the one on Google) and the rate you actually get — from under 1% on competitive platforms to 5–6% at airport desks. Together they often cost more than the explicit transfer fee. See also how exchange rates work for the rate mechanics.

Choosing the right dollar account

The right dollar account depends on what you need to do with the money. If you mainly receive and convert, look at the IOF on the inbound transfer and the conversion spread. If you plan to hold dollars and spend abroad, an international card with 0% IOF on purchases matters more. If you send money to clients or suppliers, check whether the account supports ACH, wire and crypto sends. A general rule: the more directions you need to move money, the more it pays to use a complete account rather than a single-purpose receive-and-convert service.

What to check before opening a dollar account

Before opening any international account, ask: what is the IOF on each direction of transfer? What is the FX spread on conversion — is it shown explicitly or baked into the rate? Are there monthly fees, minimum balances or transfer fees? Can you hold dollars freely without being forced to convert? Is there an international card, and does it carry IOF on purchases? The answers vary widely between platforms. Reading the fee schedules of Wise, Nomad and Ruvo side by side is the fastest way to see where the real costs sit.

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How SWIFT works

Why international bank transfers are slow and costly.

What is ACH

The US rail that lets you receive dollars like a local.

Stablecoin vs SWIFT

Seconds and 0% IOF vs days and 3.5%.

ACH vs SWIFT

Domestic US rail vs international bank wire.

How much IOF do I pay

Exactly how much, on what, and how to pay 0%.

FX spread, explained

The gap between the real rate and the one you get.

How exchange rates work

Comercial, turismo, PTAX, and your real rate.

2026 tax table for dollar earners

The updated IRPF table and PF vs PJ for dollar income.

What customers love about Ruvo

Hear how Ruvo transforms financial journeys

“

Saves money. The smartest option for CNPJs.

David Kang

Software Engineer, Turn.io

“

Ruvo simplifies our entire international financial workflow.

Joao Alvarenga

CEO, Antonnia AI

“

The best option for earning in USD.

Bruno Pazinato

Staff Engineer, Salsa

FAQs

Common questions about dollar accounts, rails and IOF.

Talk to support

A US account that accepts ACH/RTP, so you are paid domestically in the US with no SWIFT and no outbound IOF, then hold or convert as needed. Ruvo gives you that.
Because dollars move on stablecoin rails and spend on an international card, which are not traditional câmbio operations. You pay a transparent fee instead.
No. They are informational and use official sources (Receita Federal, the IOF decree). For your own tax situation, confirm with an accountant.
IOF is a federal government tax on financial operations — the rate is set by law and every provider must apply it equally. The FX spread is the private margin between the commercial exchange rate and the rate you are actually offered. When you move dollars, you may pay both, and the spread can be just as large as the IOF.
SWIFT is the global network banks use to send international transfer instructions. It is expensive because the payment passes through several correspondent banks, each of which can charge a fee, and from Brazil an outbound wire can also carry 3.5% IOF on top of the FX spread.
Yes. With US account details — a routing number and account number — you can receive ACH payments from US employers, clients and platforms exactly as any US company or employee would. No SWIFT, no correspondent banks, no outbound IOF.
The commercial dollar (dólar comercial) is the right reference — it is what Google, Bloomberg and financial portals show. But that rate is just the starting point. What you actually receive also depends on the FX spread the provider charges and any IOF that applies. Watching the rate without accounting for those two can be misleading.

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