The IRS is actively pursuing individuals living abroad who have not reported on their tax returns hidden assets such as foreign bank accounts, foreign corporations, trusts (fideiciomisos) and other foreign financial activities in the proper manner. Click on the title to his article to read more about the most recent developments and the criminal and civil penalties that may result.
by Linda Neil
The Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, translated literally is an anonymous society of variable capital. This is equivalent to the U.S. corporation in which there are stockholders. In Mexico it is governed by the Law of Mercantile Societies. More and more, foreigners are forming Mexican mercantile corporations which end with the initials, “S.A. de C.V.”, to do business and to achieve their financial goals in Mexico. The SadeCV is similar to the “Inc.” of the United States and Canada.
Another version of a corporate entity is the Limited Liability Company which has become more common in recent years. The Mexican counterpart is the SRLde CV, the Limited Responsibility company with variable capital.
While there are differences between the S.A. de C.V. and the S.R. L. de C.V., for our purposes here, both are included under the term “corporation” in this article.
As of December 1993, the corporation formed in Mexico is considered as “Mexican” even though all shareholders may be foreign persons.
When should a corporation be formed? It will make sense if the shareholders wish to perform services or sell goods for profit, build a hotel, or if they wish to develop a property for resale in lots or condominiums. The corporate entity permits the principals to obtain working papers and to obtain working papers for other foreigners who provide services not easily obtained in the local job market. Care must be taken, however, to set up the financial reporting system, to obtain invoices for all pre-operating expenses and to have an accountant who is knowledgeable to make the required declarations in Hacienda, México’s version of Uncle Sam or Revenue Canada.
The minimum capital investment in a Mexican corporation is $50,000.00 Mexican pesos Evidence of this capital contribution must be in cash or in assets which equal the total amount of the start up capital. It is important to make the declaration of all assets which are to be included from the start up of the corporation. Do not select the minimum amount just because it is the minimum. If you do it may later be difficult to establish the true amount of initial capital invested. Once the initial capital is established, additional investment may be added by making a declaration before a Notary Public, without requesting permission to do so from the government. This is the Variable Capital portion of the equation.
It is important to include in the corporate charter a statement of purpose (objecto social) that is very general. It should mention all activities that may be of interest to the shareholders; better to have an ample charter, permitting many business activities, rather than to have it limited to one activity. It is also a good idea to include export and import of all types of merchandise and technology in the charter. This makes bringing equipment and or supplies in from another country simpler.
A minimum of two shareholders is required to form a corporation. These shareholders will be required to sign the corporate charter before a Mexican Notary Public. If they come into Mexico as tourists to sign the documents they should obtain an FM-3 or FMN document at their local Mexican Consulate prior to coming so they may perform a business activity (signing the document) in a legal manner. Once the corporation has been formed it is necessary to obtain a federal tax registration number for the corporation and the administrator or board of directors must obtain the FM-3 permit to work in the activities of the corporation.
If the corporation includes or is composed of foreign stockholders it will include a clause in which the foreigners promise to be considered as Mexicans in the eyes of the law and not to invoke the aid of their government in the event of a dispute.
Administration of matters of the corporation may be either through a sole administrator (administrador unico) or through a board of directors. A Comisario must be appointed. This is the person responsible for the accounts and tax payments and should be a Mexican accountant. The comisario does not need to be a shareholder. The duties of the administrators, whether sole administrator or board of directors need to be clearly defined. Will they be able to enter into lawsuits? Obligate the corporation for loans? Hire and fire personnel?
Generally it is wise to provide a list of five names, in order of preference, for the corporation for submission for the permit for incorporation. The first name which has not been used previously by another company will be designated. Upon confirmation of the name, the corporate documents must be prepared and signed before a Notary Public within ninety days or the authorized name will become invalid and the process must be begun again. Together with the name request, permission to incorporate, where foreigners are involved, must be obtained from SECOFI, the Secretary of Industry and Commerce.
Upon completion of the corporate document, it must be recorded in the local registry of Business and Commerce, the National Foreign Investment Registry and the business enrolled in the local Chamber of Commerce or Industry Chamber. Monthly declarations must be filed with tax authorities. Additionally, the corporate accountant must file an annual statement with the National Foreign Investment Registry regarding the business activity for the previous year. If the corporation is used for property development or is not active, the Mexican accountant will probably charge about $600. Dlls. per year to do the required filings. If the corporation is active the accounting charge may be $300. to $500. Dlls. per month, or more.
Copyright, December 2004 Consultores Phoenix, S.C., reproduction prohibited without permission http://www.settlement-co.com
______________________
NOTE: The US owners or US residents who own foreign corporations, LLCs and Trusts (Fideicomisos) are required to file special tax forms with their US income tax returns for each year. Failure to file these forms can result in penalties or $10,000 or more per year. See our website at www.taxmeless.com to learn more about these forms and requirements.
by
EJIDAL (EEEE-heee-doll) properties were established in Article 27 of the Mexican Constitution of 1917 as an outcome of the revolution and represent probably 50% of all the land in
After the revolution hundreds of millions of acres from the original Spanish land grants were expropriated by the government and classified as "ejidal" properties. The state retains ownership of these lands and the peasants, or farmers, have the right to use them, to live on and to grow their crops on them. The rights of usage pass from father to son, but ejidal properties cannot be sold as private property.
In Baja California Sur alone, there were 100 ejido groups occupying 5 million 375 thousand hectares, according to the Ejidal Census made in 1991 by INEGI, the federal government statistical bureau. Only six other states in the entire country have more ejidal land.
The average amount of land for each ejido in BCS is 53,758 hectares. That's about 134,395 acres for each ejido or almost 210 SQUARE MILES of land for each ejidal group!
Per decree published on
This is a seven step process that may take as much as five years to accomplish, and consists of the following:
1. Resolution within the ejido. A two-thirds majority must decide to convert parcel lands to private property. This does not pertain to human
2. Mapping, allowing for streets, gardens, other donated lands, human settlements and communal lands
3. Allotment of a parcel to each ejiditario (farmer).
4. Application to Agrarian
5. Approval by the Agrarian Reform
6. Transfer of parcels to the individual ejiditarios.
After this process is completed and registered with the Agrarian Reform, the ejiditario who wishes to sell to an outsider must first notify other family members, those who have worked the property for more than one year, then other ejiditarios in the group, neighbors, and the ejidal government before completing a sale to the outsider. These parties have the right of first refusal and notifications must be made following a specific procedure.
ONLY after all correct notifications have been made does the EJIDITARIO receive a deed. ONLY then may he in turn transfer in fee simple to third parties, nationals or foreigners. If the property is in the restricted zone ONLY then can an ejidal property be acquired by a foreigner, PROVIDED the Secretary of Foreign Relations will grant a permit for same.
THIS IS FOR PROPERTIES
What about the ejidal group who chooses NOT to convert its parcel land to private property? Can it be used by outsiders?
Article 45 of the law states that ejidal properties may be the object of any type of contract in association or use contract made by the ejidal group, or by individual ejiditarios on common lands or parcel lands. Contracts made with third parties may be granted for a term up to thirty years and can be renewed.
Under the Mexican Civil Code the maximum lease for residential property is ten years. Thus it can be said that the ejidal properties have an important advantage over private RESIDENTIAL property when it comes to leasing.
There is, however, a substantial difference between OWNERSHIP and LEASING. It is important not to confuse the two.
OWNERSHIP, even in the prohibited zone, where ownership is a PERSONAL right of use and enjoyment, permits indefinite usage through multiple renewals (every fifty years) of trust permits, and a clear-cut right to rent those rights, to sell those rights, and to collect a profit therefore. Annual costs under a trust (fideicomiso) are limited to bank administration fees and property taxes and the owner has full rights to all improvements on the land.
LEASE RIGHTS from an ejidal group can be for a maximum term of thirty years and can be renewable. The annual lease cost, however, is often a monthly or annual payment and, while it may be fixed for the first lease term, (up to thirty years) costs upon renewal are not usually negotiated for the following lease term, and may be increased to any amount that the leaseholder, the ejido, requests. Failure to pay the amount requested by the holder of the lease means that lessee (the tenant under the lease) must vacate the property and, of course, must leave behind ALL improvements affixed to the property.
In a rental situation, the tenant never owns the improvements and the amount of the rental will probably be determined by market conditions. Copyright, 2004, 05, 06, 07, 08,
about the author:
LINDA NEIL is the founder of The Settlement Company, which specializes in real estate transfers and escrows. Licensed as a
For reprints or further information, please contact
The Settlement Company: in
International: 1-877-214-4950 or 011-52-612-123-5056
FAX: (011-52) 612-123-5056
E-mail info@settlement-co.com, website: http://www.settlement-co.com
by Linda Neil
A tax specialist, familiar with the law and reporting requirements in both the
Property owned in trust (fideicomiso): Under Mexican law, any residential property located in the “restricted” zone when foreigners are involved, must be placed in a Mexican bank trust, fideicomiso. The “restricted zone” is an area 50 kilometers (approximately 30 miles) wide along all the Mexican coastlines and 100 kilometers (approximately 60 miles) from the Mexico U.S. and Mexico-Belize borders.
Under the U.S. regulation section 6048 (b) Taxpayers must report ownership interest on Form 3520-A yearly and on form 3520 initially and if there are any changes. The penalty for failing to file these information returns is five percent of the gross value of trust assets determined to be owned by the
Bank and Financial Accounts: U.S. taxpayers must annually report direct or indirect financial interest in a financial account that is maintained with a financial institution located in a foreign country if, for any calendar year, the aggregate value of all foreign accounts exceeded $10,000.00 USD at any time during the year. This report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts is commonly known as an FBAR, and the penalty can be as high as the greater of $100,000. USD or 50% of the total balance of the foreign account if the failure is deliberate omission. (Sec.31 U.S.C. 5321(a)(5). Nonwillful violations are subject to a civil penalty of not more than $10,000.00 USD.
Shares of Stock or Interests in Mexican Corporations and/or partnerships: Generally shareholders or partners with a 10% or greater interest in the partnership or corporation must inform the IRS of same through Forms 5471 or 8865. Failure to file can be quite costly.
As in most countries the
TAX OBLIGATIONS IN
Any foreigner with real property or business income in
For example:
Property Taxes: are due and payable every two months, or can be paid in one annual payment, usually with a substantial discount, during the first two months of each calendar year. Property taxes are based upon the value declared by the property tax office where the property is located and are generally relatively low in comparison with rates in the
On-going taxes on business income: If you have a Mexican corporation or partnership, no matter what the activity, a monthly declaration must be filed for IVA taxes (Added Value Taxes) and for Impuesto Sobre La Renta which, in this case, is more like an income tax. A local Mexican accountant should be hired to review the accounting procedures and to prepare and file the monthly declarations. The monthly tax payments are generally considered as provisional and an annual declaration will show either a refund or a payment due. These taxes can also be a credit or a deductible expense in a home country, depending upon how the companies are established. An attorney-accountant with international expertise in this will be an important advisor to help avoid double taxation on profits. Again you may wish to consult Mr. Don Nelson: dondnelson@yahoo.com.
Impuesto Sobre La Renta when a property is sold: is a capital gains type of tax. For foreigners who are tax residents of another country, the tax is calculated in two ways:
1. It is a flat amount of the total selling price; without deductions, or
2. It is a percentage of the difference between selling price and the tax basis shown in the seller’s deed, less allowable deductions.
This calculation should be made both ways. The good part of this is that it is the LOWER of the calculations which shall be due and payable from seller proceeds. The Mexican Notary Public drafting the deed generally makes these calculations and the seller needs to confirm that it is the LOWER of the two figures which will be paid. The Notary Public should also provide the seller with a copy of the tax payment for use with the tax authorities in seller’s tax residence country.
Impuesto Sobre La Renta when income is received from a rental of Mexican property:
All income received from Mexican property is taxable in
Important Deadline. 2009. Copyright, 2009,
# # # # #
about the author:
LINDA NEIL is the founder of The Settlement Company, which specializes in real estate transfers, escrows,and consultations. Just added as a new service, Settlement will now prepare monthly tax declarations, file them and perform additional essential landlord accounting services.
For reprints of this article or for further information on tax paying services, please contact The Settlement Company® at 01-800-627-5130 if in
Copyright, 2009, Consultores Phoenix, S.C. Reproduction prohibited without permission
