How to register as an individual microentrepreneur in Brazil

If business matchmaking interests you but you do not yet have a company, do not worry. We are going to explain the details of registering as an MEI, the Brazilian individual microentrepreneur status, as an option for formalising your work as a business matchmaking organizer.

So, how does the MEI work for an event organizer or promoter?

The MEI (Microempreendedor Individual) is available to professionals working with events. Their focus ranges from celebrations through to the well-known business matchmaking event, though the professional has to meet certain criteria to formalise, among them a maximum annual revenue of R$ 81,000.00 (the figure in 2021). Bill 108/2021 is expected to be approved and, as a consequence, that annual limit will rise, among other changes.

You then need to register the CNAE code (the national classification of economic activities). It is a code of 7 digits that identifies which economic activity the microentrepreneur may carry out.

For example, the CNAE code for an event promoter is 8230-0/01, and the activities that professional can carry out are:

• Organising children's parties;
• Organising, producing and promoting meetings and conferences;
• Organising, producing and promoting events, except cultural and sporting ones;
• Organising, producing and promoting trade fairs and exhibitions;
• Organising cattle auction grounds;
• Managing grounds for agricultural fairs;
• Managing exhibition space for third-party use;
• Organising parties and events, family or otherwise, including graduation

parties.

Note, though, that the activities below are not permitted:

• Catering services for events and receptions;
• Party and event venues;
• Organising, producing and promoting cultural or sporting events.

Advantages

Here are some of the benefits of becoming a business matchmaking organizer:

• Authority
• Visibility
• Networking
• Excellent revenue
• Growing demand after the pandemic
• Among others

But how do you register an MEI? What are the taxes? That is what we are going to find out now.

How do you register an MEI?

It is quick, simple and free of bureaucracy. You will need the following documents:

• Voter registration card
• Identity card
• Tax number (CPF)
• Home and business address
• Telephone number
• Email address

The process can be done online. Here are the steps:

1. Go to the Portal do Empreendedor.
2. Click "Quero ser MEI" and then "Formalize-se".
3. Create a "gov.br" account or sign in with your CPF if you already have one.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions. At this stage you will be asked for your

personal details, such as your identity card and CPF numbers, your income tax declaration number, your home address and a contact telephone number.

5. Define the activities you will carry out, the trading name of your company

and your place of work.

6. Check all the information provided, complete the declarations requested and

finish your registration.

Taxes

According to the Contabilizei site, certain taxes have to be paid monthly under the law in force in 2021.

The DAS, the collection document for the Simples Nacional regime, is a slip that has to be paid by the 20th of each month. It carries the taxes the individual microentrepreneur is responsible for, mainly:

• R$ 5.00 of ISS, for service providers.
• R$ 1.00 of ICMS, for retail and industry.
• 5% of the minimum wage for INSS, for every company in the category.

As for the amounts, in 2021 the DAS MEI indicated the following collection:

• For retail or industry: R$ 56.00, being R$ 55.00 of INSS + R$ 1.00 of

ICMS.

• Service providers: R$ 60.00, being R$ 55.00 of INSS + R$ 5.00 of ISS.
• For retail and services: R$ 61.00, being R$ 55.00 of INSS + R$ 1.00 of

ICMS + R$ 5.00 of ISS.

These amounts provide certain basic rights, for example a pension by age or by length of contribution.

Two other important points to note: the MEI does not permit a partnership and, currently, you can hire up to one employee.

The process of closing an MEI is also simple.

See how easy it is?

So if you want to organise a business matchmaking event but do not have a company, registering an MEI may be a quick option free of bureaucracy. If necessary, consult an accountant to clear up your questions.

With the company registration number you will be able to issue invoices, hire other companies (venue rental, catering services), sign contracts with sponsors, and so on.

In the future, with the expansion of your business in view, you can consider migrating from MEI to microenterprise (ME) while keeping the same registration number.

Already thinking about organising your event? Read our article on how to organise your own business matchmaking event.

Good business to you.