Rapporteur defends updating Simples Nacional and rules out readjustment only for MEIs

The rapporteur of the project that updates the revenue ceiling for MEIs (Individual Microentrepreneurs), deputy Jorge Goetten (Republicanos-SC), defended this Monday (15) the updating of the Simples Nacional framework to include micro and small companies. According to him, there is no "favorable environment" in the National Congress to update values only for MEIs.

"The scale has to be for everyone, for micro and small companies and MEIs too. I dare say that there is no environment, in Congress, favorable to approving just MEIs", he said at a hearing in Florianópolis (SC).

Currently, the revenue ceiling for MEIs is R$81 thousand per year. Goetten has already indicated that his opinion should propose an update to at least R$134 thousand, which could reach R$140 thousand. He should also propose readjusting the Simples tracks.

The government, however, still resists the idea and is evaluating alternatives. According to the Treasury's calculations, this could generate a fiscal impact of almost R$50 billion per year.

"There is no way to update the MEIs table - which is fair and legitimate - without updating the table, the limits, for micro and small companies", Goetten told businesspeople at this Monday's hearing.

For micro-enterprises, today the annual limit is R$360,000 and could increase to R$800,000, according to Goetten. In relation to small companies, the ceiling could increase from R$4.8 million to R$8 million.

The rapporteur has not yet presented his opinion, but has signaled to businesspeople during state seminars promoted by the special commission that analyzes the project.

At this Monday's hearing, the Minister of Entrepreneurship, Microenterprise and Small Businesses, Paulo Pereira, stated via videoconference that in "a few days" the government should present a suggestion to the rapporteur on the MEIs. He said, however, that the Simples issue is more "complex".

Goetten expects the vote on the text until the second half of July, before the parliamentary recess. According to him, the president of the Chamber, Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB), guided the search for "consensus" with the economic team.

The original proposal was approved by the Senate in 2021 and envisaged increasing the annual limit for MEIs from R$81,000 to R$130,000 per year, in addition to the possibility for microentrepreneurs to have up to two employees.

The ceiling update gained momentum again this year after the approval of the proposal to end the 6×1 work schedule. An article on the modernization of the MEI was included in the text as a counterpart.

The reduction in working hours passed in the Chamber, but has not yet advanced in the Senate. A government project on the same topic is being processed urgently and should be analyzed by deputies on Tuesday (16). The text, sent by the Executive, is blocking the House's agenda.

Last week, Hugo Motta announced the vote on the matter precisely to free up the Chamber's agenda and open space for voting on proposals such as the readjustment of MEIs.

Among the changes analyzed by Goetten is the possibility of exemption from employer social security contributions for two years as compensation for companies that need to hire more employees due to the end of the 6×1 scale.

He argues that small businesses are most impacted by the end of 6×1 and, therefore, advocates forms of compensation.

Government makes proposal to readjust MEI, but must exclude Simples | BEHIND THE SCENES CNN

Source: CNN