Government announces forgiveness of debts for MEI for 3.6 million Brazilians

Individual micro-entrepreneurs (MEIs) of Ponta Grossa, Campos Gerais and all over Brazil may have federal debts forgiven as of January 1, 2027. The measure, which forms part of the Prospera MEI program, is expected to benefit approximately 3.6 million entrepreneurs who have late pension contributions.

The Attorney General of the National Treasury (PGFN) and the Federal Revenue have published Ordinance No. 740, of October 22, 2026, which establishes the procedures for the cancellation of debts relating to the monthly contributions of the MEI due until October 13 of this year.

One of the main facilities is that the pardon will be automatic, without the need for registration, request or attendance at public bodies. The exclusion of debts will be carried out by the government’s own systems from January 2027.

National Finance Attorney General +1

What debts of MEI will be forgiven?

The benefit includes the federal amounts related to the monthly pension contribution of the micro-entrepreneur, including the principal amount, interest, fines and legal charges.

It will cover both the debts that are already registered in the Active Debt of the Union, administered by the PGFN, and those that still remain under the responsibility of the Federal Revenue.

The cancellation may also reach debits that are in installments, negotiated or with the charge suspended.

However, there is an important difference: state taxes (ICMS) and municipal taxes (ISS) will not be forgiven. These amounts will continue to be charged normally, even when they are included in the same MEI payment guide.

MEI needs to keep payments up to date so as not to lose the benefit

Despite the automatic cancellation, the government has established conditions for microentrepreneurs to maintain the right to forgiveness.

Those who remain formally framed as MEI must pay the monthly contributions on time within six months following the entry into force of the measure.

If the entrepreneur fails to comply with this obligation, the benefit may be cancelled, causing the old debts to be collected again.

For those who have already formally terminated the MEI or changed their business category, this requirement for future payment does not apply.

Another rule involves taxpayers discussing debts in court. In these cases, it will be necessary to observe the conditions of withdrawal of the action in order to obtain the benefit.

The government also clarifies that the amounts already paid will not be returned. The forgiveness reaches the open balances, without generating right to reimbursement.

National Finance Office of the Attorney-General

How to consult MEI debts?

Entrepreneurs can check their tax situation through the official channels of the Federal Government.

The debts entered in the Active Debt of the Union can be consulted on the Regularize Portal of PGFN.

Debits that are still under the administration of the Federal Revenue can be consulted on the Portal of Services of the Federal Revenue.

In the case of installments that collect forgiven contributions and other taxes, it may be necessary to request the revision of the agreement to separate the amounts covered by the measure.

Forgiveness involves billions in debt

The initiative is part of the Prospera MEI program, created to strengthen small businesses, reduce financial difficulties and stimulate the regularization of self-employed workers.

According to PGFN data, the debts of individual microentrepreneurs amount to approximately R$ 12.57 billion. Of this total, about R$ 11 billion, equivalent to almost 86%, are considered credits of difficult or impossible recovery.

The pardon was established by Complementary Law No. 238, of October 21, 2026, which amended the legislation of the Simples Nacional.

The measure is expected to allow millions of entrepreneurs to reorganize their activities, regain fiscal regularity and keep their small businesses running.

For the MEIs of Ponta Grossa and the other municipalities of Campos Gerais, the orientation is to consult the official channels, follow the update of the systems and, mainly, keep up to date the required contributions to preserve the benefit. (The information is from the Gov. Agency.)

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