Can freelancers be MEIs?
Are you a freelancer and want to become an MEI? In this article we'll talk about what activities are allowed in this type of business.
Yes, freelancers can be MEIs, depending on the activity they perform. The MEI or Individual Microentrepreneur is a category of company with a simplified model that offers a series of benefits for those who wish to become formalized.
Among these benefits are the reduced tax burden, low bureaucracy and Social Security contributions.
What's more, for freelancers it's an opportunity to formalize their work and allows them to issue invoices, which helps them reach a greater number of clients.
Obtaining a CNPJ In the MEI category for freelancers, it depends on the type of activity you carry out. Below, we talk about the requirements for setting up an individual micro-enterprise and show you how to open your business online, step by step.
Read also: How much should I charge for my product or service?
What are the requirements for becoming a freelancer?
To take advantage of the benefits offered by the MEI, you need to meet a series of requirements. These include
- Be over 18;
- Not being a partner of someone else;
- Not be a federal civil servant;
- Earn up to R$81 thousand a year;
- And provide services of a common nature.
The common nature of the service is a requirement that ends up excluding the possibility of some professionals formalizing themselves via MEI.
When we talk about services of a common nature, we mean services that can have quality and performance standards based on specifications used in the market. This category includes all professions that are regulated by councils, such as journalism, architecture, engineering, psychology and others.
To find out if an activity is allowed under MEI, you need to see the list of permissionsmade available by the Federal Government.
Some examples of activities that can be carried out by freelancers are:
- Creating posters;
- Language classes;
- Caring for pets;
- DJ work;
- Dubbing services;
- Typing;
- Video editing;
- Newspaper editing;
- Publishing books and magazines;
- Photographer;
- Among others.
Read also: What is Social Capital and how is its value defined?
What are the advantages of MEI for freelancers?
A freelancer is an independent professional who works on a one-off basis, i.e. they don't have a fixed working relationship with someone or a company. They are paid for each delivery they make.
For these professionals, formalizing through the MEI is an opportunity to take advantage of benefits such as the possibility of issuing invoices for services rendered. In this way, taxes are paid legally, avoiding problems with tax issues.
In addition, the possibility of issuing invoices conveys more professionalism and seriousness, as well as expanding job opportunities, since many companies only hire freelancers who issue invoices.
MEI has another great advantage, which is the reduced tax burden. All taxes are paid in a single monthly bill, which costs around R$65.00. All this with very little bureaucracy.
As an individual micro-entrepreneur, freelancers can also have easier access to credit lines, participate in public tenders and count on social security benefits such as sick pay.
Read also: New rules for corporations (S.A.).
How to open an MEI as a freelancer?
Opening an MEI is very simple and can be done entirely online. To do this, start by creating an account on the government system (gov.br).
Once you have registered, you need to access the Entrepreneur's Portal and go to the "I want to be an MEI" option on the site's home page.
After that, you will be taken to a page with all the information about the MEI and to continue with the registration you must click on "Formalize yourself". Log in with your government account details and fill in the required fields.
Then just follow the instructions on the website and your company will be open.
The MEI's only obligations are to fill in a monthly expenses report, pay the monthly Simples Nacionaland issue invoices for services rendered.
If you have doubts about the process of opening an MEI or need accounting advice for your business, contact us.
A CLM Controller is an accounting firm with more than 40 years' experience and a team of specialists to help companies from all sectors to achieve truly efficient accounting management.
