Friday, April 24, 2015

Mexico's New Tax Laws on Real Estate Purchases and Improvements

By Cheryl T. Miller, Broker, Baja Realty and Invesment

A few years ago, the Mexican IRS, known as the Hacienda or SAT, made sweeping changes in their tax system.  The system they created became geared to electronic filings and the use of computers/internet for all acceptable documents, reports and files. Since then, many changes have occurred.  Among them is the requirement for all taxpayers to have electronic signatures, an RFC or Taxpayer ID number, to pay all taxes through the internet (cash at a bank is no longer allowed), to receive electronic official receipts for purchases of goods and services in order for them to be allowed as possible deductions from  income tax or capital gains tax, when a property is sold.. 


​This past July another change, without pomp, circumstance or notification, was passed that became effective September 1st of this year.  This change affects ALL real estate purchases, and ALL buyers and sellers who are foreign or national. READ MORE


Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Individual Tax Rules Including Allowable Deductions to Use on your Mexican tax filings for 2014

In the prior post we included a graphic showing the various rules in spanish which apply to your Mexican individual tax return for 2014.  It appears many of our friends and clients in Mexico are not that good with Spanish. We have therefore provided the following information on the Mexican income tax rules very roughly translated into English:

If you are from those taxpayers who this month must submit its annual statement to avoid problems with the Mexican IRS, lose fear, as there are tools to help in the process, and may even apply their personal allowances and, where appropriate, get a refund.
Aristotle Nunez Sanchez, head of the Tax Administration Service (SAT), explained that until April 30 taxpayers, individuals enrolled in the register of causes are required to submit their annual return; otherwise, will be entitled to a fine.
The obligors to fulfill this responsibility are all natural, except Incorporation Fiscal Regime (RIF) people; those receiving income from fees, leasing, business, sale and purchase of goods, dividends, premiums and other revenues, and employees who earned revenues of 400,000 pesos, as well as additional income earners salary.
He recalled his right as a taxpayer to make personal deductions. He explained that from this year individuals can deduct their personal expenses up to 10% of their income or four high minimum wages per year (up to 98.243 pesos), whichever is less.

Applications that facilitate the process

To facilitate compliance, Aristotle Núñez said you can use the applications available on the website of the SAT.
In case of an individual who receives income from wages can only access the application within the minisite Employees Annual Statement. To enter only requires RFC, password and personal deductions.
While if it is registered as an individual whose income comes from leasing, interest, business, and does not belong to the tax regime Incorporation must be submitted through the DeclaraSAT application, available on the same site. In this case, you should have on hand the RFC, password, personal deductions and monthly statements to date (in case you have any pending, you must file before making your annual statement).
The head of the SAT noted that applications are preloaded data identification, income and deductions in the case of wages, plus interest income to the information provided by financial institutions.

No income individuals also have obligations

Finally, he said, if you are discharged in the RFC for any of the above items, but not received income during the year, you need to report this situation, presenting the annual return to zero. This it can do online or call Infosat (01 800 46 36 721).

The SAT advised

To avoid complications with his fiscal SAT recommended:
  • Fill each and every one of the fields of the statement.
  • Declare all income which have been collected in the year.
  • In the case of being obliged to have the current interim payments in 2014.
  • Check the validity of electronic signatures.
  • Submit your annual statement as soon as possible and no later than April 30 to avoid penalties.

Expenses you can deduct

In order to obtain a credit balance you may file tax receipts of the following expenditures:
  • Payments for educational services (school) with the following buffers.Preschool 14,200 pesos; Primary 12,900 pesos; secondary 19,900 pesos; professional technician 17,100 pesos, and baccalaureate or equivalent, 24,500 pesos.
  • Medical and dental fees. Drugs are included in hospital bills, analysis and clinical studies. No vouchers are from pharmacies.
  • Insurance premiums medical expenses.
  • Funeral expenses. Only the amount not exceeding the minimum wage of the geographic area of ​​the taxpayer, raised annually.
  • Donations granted to authorized institutions. The amount of donations deducted must not exceed 7% of the taxable income of the previous year to which it is declared.
  • Actual interest paid on the mortgage of house room whenever the credit granted does not exceed 1 million Udis 500,000.
  • Deposits in special personal accounts for savings, premiums for insurance contracts that are based pension plans and acquisition of shares of investment companies.
  • Additional contributions for retirement. The amount of this deduction shall not exceed 10% of its taxable income for the year, without those contributions exceed the equivalent of five minimum wages of its high geographic area annually.
  • School transport (mandatory) of children or grandchildren.
  • Payments for educational services with the following buffers: Preschool 14,200 pesos; Primary 12,900 pesos; secondary 19,900 pesos; professional technician 17,100 pesos, and high school or equivalent, 24,500 pesos.

Helpful Advice on Your Mexican Income Taxes

If you live in Mexico full time you are suppose to be filing a Mexican return as well as your US tax return each year. Here is some helpful advice on your Mexican taxes.

When you need help with your US taxes while living and working in Mexico go to www.TaxMeLess.com.  We have been doing taxes for Gringos in Mexico for over 25 years.