What it is
The MEI Simulator compares staying a Brazilian microentrepreneur (MEI) against moving up to the Simples Nacional regime, and shows where the crossover sits for your revenue.
Why the question comes up
MEI is deliberately simple: a fixed monthly payment, almost no bookkeeping, and a revenue ceiling. Simples Nacional charges a percentage of what you actually bill, and asks for real accounting in exchange for a much higher ceiling.
The moment revenue starts approaching the MEI limit, the fixed payment stops being obviously cheaper, and the decision needs numbers rather than instinct.
How to use it
- Enter your monthly or annual revenue.
- Pick your line of work, since the rate differs between trade, industry and services.
- Compare the two columns and see the tax burden side by side.
What the simulation cannot see
Three things that often decide the question are not in any calculator.
Going over the ceiling is not a choice you make. Exceeding the MEI limit moves you out of the regime automatically, with back taxes on the excess. Planning for it beats being surprised by it.
Simples costs money before it costs tax. An accountant is effectively mandatory, and that monthly fee belongs in the comparison.
Some activities are simply not allowed as MEI. The permitted list is specific, and being on the wrong side of it settles the matter regardless of revenue.
This is a simulation for orientation, not tax advice. Rates and the permitted activity list change, and an accountant will give you a firmer answer.
Related: the CLT vs PJ calculator.