The Chamber of Deputies approved this Wednesday (17) the bill that includes truck drivers in the Individual Microentrepreneur (MEI) model. Called “MEI Truck Driver”, the proposal changes the way the category is taxed. With the approval of the deputies, the matter returns for analysis by the senators. 
In the classification as MEI, there is the possibility of paying a reduced tax burden, through a single collection system, the Simplified Collection Document (DAS), with a fixed value, lower than the Simples rates, which are levied on gross revenue and they are progressive according to the billing range. Workers also have access to financing, social security benefits and the issuance of invoices.
The text has a different framing limit for truck drivers. Currently, the MEI allows an annual turnover of R$ 81 thousand. With the proposal, this limit rises to R$251.6 thousand per year. According to the rapporteur, Deputy Caroline de Toni (PSL-SC), the increase in the limit considers the operating costs of the category.
“[O caminhoneiro] have to pay, on average, R$ 50 thousand in insurance for a truck. In addition to this cost with the truck, it also has the cost of diesel, which increased by around 40%. Truck drivers on Brazilian roads have expenses with tires, oil, tolls; spending on the road with food. They have to face the bad conditions of Brazilian highways. So, if it happens, normally a truck breaks down, they are often stopped in the middle of the roads, because the stopping points are neither adequate nor safe”, he argued.
The matter provides that the payment rate for Social Security is 12% of the minimum wage. “The 12% rate is lower than the normal 20% rate, but it is partially offset by the absence of the right to retirement due to contribution time, maintaining the other social security benefits”, explained the reporter. The deputy estimates that around 600 thousand autonomous truck drivers will benefit from the MEI Truck Driver.
management committee
In addition to including the category of truck drivers in the MEI, the proposal increases the number of members of the Simples Nacional Management Committee (CGSN), including a representative of the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae) and one of the national confederations of representation of the micro and small business segment. The quorum for the committee’s deliberations is now three-quarters, the same presence required for holding meetings.
