TRCT in Brazil: how to check the termination form before signing

*The Employment Contract Termination Form (Termo de Rescisão do Contrato de Trabalho, TRCT) lists all amounts paid and deducted at the end of the contract, the reason for termination and the dates. Signing the TRCT releases only the amounts actually paid and itemized — you can still claim differences in court (TST Precedent 330 — the TST is the Superior Labor Court).*

Quick summary

• Payment deadline: up to 10 days after the end of the contract (CLT, art. 477, §6 — the CLT is Brazil's Consolidated Labor Laws).
• Union validation: no longer mandatory since 2017.
• Release: only for amounts paid and itemized; differences can be claimed.
• Check: reason for termination, dates, highest pay, items, deductions, FGTS and penalty.
• Late payment: a penalty of one month's salary (art. 477, §8).

What to check, field by field

1. Reason for termination: dismissal without cause, resignation, agreement, dismissal for cause, end of contract. It determines the amounts and FGTS withdrawal (FGTS is the Severance Indemnity Fund).
2. Hiring and termination dates, including the extension from notice paid in lieu.
3. Highest pay: must include averages of regular overtime, supplements and commissions.
4. Salary balance: days worked in the last month.
5. Notice period: 30 days + 3 per complete year — see Notice period.
6. Accrued and proportional vacation + 1/3.
7. Proportional 13th salary, taking into account the notice extension.
8. Deductions: advances, INSS, income tax and, if any, payroll loan — see CLT payroll loan.
9. FGTS for the termination month and penalty (40% or 20%).

Before signing

• Read carefully; ask for a copy.
• If you disagree with an amount, write "received with reservations" and describe the point, or record your disagreement by email.
• Check the deposit in your account and the FGTS statement.
• Get the unemployment insurance forms, if entitled.

Frequently asked questions

If I sign the TRCT, do I lose the right to complain?

No. The release covers only the amounts paid; differences and unpaid amounts can be claimed within 2 years.

Can the employer pay me within 10 business days?

The deadline is 10 calendar days from the end of the contract.

Read more in this series

• Severance pay: what you receive for each dismissal
• Notice period: worked or paid in lieu
• Resignation: what you receive
• Termination by agreement (art. 484-A)
• Index: complete guide to labor rights