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With the Minimum Wage of R$ 1,621 in 2026, MEIs Will Pay R$ 81.05 Per Month Plus ISS and ICMS; MEI Truck Driver Reaches R$ 207.42, DAS Due Every 20th and Debts Must Be Regularized by January 31, 2026 to Maintain Framing, Benefits, and Social Security Coverage.
Starting from 2026, with the minimum wage adjusted to R$ 1,621.00, MEIs will see a direct increase in the monthly Simples Nacional guide. The collection of DAS, which is due every 20th of each month, also becomes more significant for those needing to keep contributions up to date and avoid issues with the tax authorities. Furthermore, those with outstanding debts will have to race against the clock until January 31, 2026 to avoid exclusion from the simplified regime.
The adjustment affects not only the pockets of MEIs but also the annual planning of small businesses. While the contribution rises, the social security benefits and the revenue rules remain an important differential of the model, especially for those who depend on formalization to access retirement, sick pay, maternity leave, and other rights.
How Much Will MEIs Pay Per Month in 2026
With the new minimum wage of R$ 1,621.00, the monthly contribution of MEIs will increase from R$ 75.90 to R$ 81.05.
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This amount is composed of:
- R$ 81.05 for INSS, which corresponds to 5% of the minimum wage of R$ 1,621.00
- R$ 5.00 for ISS, if the MEI is a taxpayer of this tax
- R$ 1.00 for ICMS, if it is a taxpayer of this tax
In practice, most MEIs will pay R$ 82.05 or R$ 86.05, depending on whether they charge only ISS, only ICMS, or both taxes, always added to the R$ 81.05 for INSS.
This amount ensures access to social security and keeps the CNPJ regularized.
How Much Does the MEI Truck Driver Pay in 2026
For the MEI truck driver, the impact is even greater. The contribution, which is currently R$ 182.16, will increase to R$ 202.42 in 2026.
The amount may vary between R$ 202.42 and R$ 207.42, depending on:
- the type of product being transported
- the location where the cargo is destined
The calculation considers 12% of the minimum wage for INSS, in addition to the same amounts for traditional individual microentrepreneurs for ICMS and ISS.
In other words, MEI truck drivers will have a heavier guide but remain under the same simplified regime with access to social security benefits.
How DAS Works and What Are the Deadlines for MEIs
Payment is made through the Document of Collection of the Simples Nacional (DAS), which gathers in a single guide:
- the social security contribution for INSS
- the taxes owed by MEIs, such as ISS and ICMS
The DAS is due every 20th of each month. The guide can be issued:
- directly on the Portal do Simples Nacional
- through the App MEI, available for iOS and Android systems
There are payment options via boleto, PIX, and automatic debit, among other methods offered by banks. Keeping the DAS up to date is essential for MEIs to maintain their active CNPJ, social security coverage, and the ability to issue invoices.
Deadline for MEIs to Regulate Debts and Avoid Exclusion
Those who are MEIs or have a Micro and Small Enterprise (MPE) and have outstanding debts with the tax authorities need to pay attention.
There is a deadline until January 31, 2026 to settle debts and avoid being excluded from the Simples Nacional.
This means that MEIs with overdue DAS must:
- pay the debts in full
- or negotiate available installment plans
If the regularization is not done within the deadline, there is a risk of losing the framing in Simples, which could result in:
- increased tax burden
- loss of the unified guide
- more bureaucracy to fulfill tax obligations
For many MEIs, leaving Simples could make the business unfeasible, which is why organizing the guides until January 2026 is crucial.
Revenue Rules and Advantages of Continuing as MEI
Under the current rules, the specific taxation for MEIs applies to those with annual revenue of up to R$ 81,000.
Within this limit, the entrepreneur pays:
- a fixed monthly contribution, which increases in 2026 but remains linked to the minimum wage
- simplified taxes, with no need for complex assessments like larger companies
In exchange for this mandatory contribution, the individual microentrepreneur is entitled to various social security benefits, such as:
- retirement due to disability
- sick pay
- maternity leave
- survivor’s pension
- retirement due to age
- prison assistance for their relatives
The calculation of benefits is based on the contributions made by the insured, provided the minimum waiting period required for each type of benefit is met.
In case of doubts about rights or procedures to secure retirement, the official path is to seek guidance at the INSS Service Center, by phone 135, or on the INSS website.
This way, MEIs can understand exactly how each DAS payment turns into social security protection in the future.
How the Minimum Wage Adjustment Is Calculated and Why It Affects MEIs
The new minimum wage of R$ 1,621.00 represents an increase of R$ 103, equivalent to 6.79% compared to the current R$ 1,518.00.
This means the national minimum is below the R$ 1,627 forecasted in the LDO for 2026, which slightly reduces the pressure on the government’s budget, but does not prevent MEIs from feeling the adjustment in the monthly guide amount.
The calculation of the minimum wage follows the appreciation policy that considers:
- the INPC for 12 months ending in November, which was 4.18%
- plus 2.5% of real increase, based on the 2024 GDP, limited to this percentage
Since the contribution of MEIs is linked to a percentage of the minimum wage, any increase in the national minimum automatically raises the DAS amount, for both traditional MEIs and MEI truck drivers.
For the new amount of R$ 1,621.00 to take effect officially in 2026, it is still necessary for the minimum wage to be formalized by presidential decree from Lula.
Impact of the Adjustment on INSS Benefits and the Public Budget
In addition to affecting the finances of MEIs, the minimum wage adjustment also directly impacts the benefits paid by the INSS. Currently:
- 70% of retirements are for one minimum wage, which represents about 28 million insured individuals
- for those receiving above one minimum wage, about 12 million beneficiaries, the adjustment in 2026 will be calculated based on the INPC for 2025, ending in December
The government’s latest projection estimated an increase of 4.66% for these benefits above the minimum wage.
In your case, do you think this increase in the monthly guide weighs too heavily on the budget of MEIs or is it an acceptable adjustment given the benefits and formalization?
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