Mexico Real Estate Acquisition Tax

1895

If you are a regular buyer of real estate, surely what you will find in the next lines are a set of truisms. The truth is that, according to official statistics, in Mexico, most people buy a property only once in their life. Therefore, talking about this subject acquires significant relevance among us, potential buyers of all types of real estate, for commercial or residential purposes.

The Civil Code of Sinaloa establishes a very rare rule of scarce application: the expenses of registration and registration correspond to both parties equally unless otherwise agreed (the exception becomes a general rule in practice). That is, in fact, the parties agree that it is the buyer who disbursed everything or practically everything, except the taxes that are caused to the transferor (which may also be subject to agreement between the parties).

The source of the expenses may have as a source payment obligations that arise against the State (taxes, duties, tariffs); in front of individuals who have the nature of fees (appraiser, real estate agent, tax advisor), and notarial fees that have the nature of official rate.

Regarding the first item (against the State) the purchaser must pay the Tax on Acquisition of Real Estate (ISAI) at a rate of 2% on the taxable base, which is determined from the value that is greater among (i) the operation value and (ii) the one of any of the following bank or commercial appraisals made by experts authorized by the City or by an expert recognized by the National Banking Insurance Commission, or by an expert member of the Mexican Institute of Appraisal of Sinaloa , AC or by Public Broker or by the Cadastral Institute of the State of Sinaloa.

Additionally, the law stipulates that the municipal authority will charge 10% of the amount that resulted according to the preceding paragraph (on the payment slip it appears as “pro-sport”).

The law establishes some exceptions to this rate of 2%. This is the case of social housing acquisitions provided they do not exceed 6,500 UMAS *. In these cases, the taxable base of the tax is determined according to the commercial value that must be set by the Cadastral Institute.
*UMA: $80.60 pesos.

The law establishes some exceptions to this rate of 2%. This is the case of social housing acquisitions provided they do not exceed 6,500 UMAS *. In these cases, the taxable base of the tax is determined according to the commercial value that must be set by the Cadastral Institute.

If the house-room of social interest type is of new construction and its value does not exceed 5,500 UMAS, there is a benefit: the rate is 10% of the tax base. Where the value is from 5,501 to 9,500 UMAS, the tax will be calculated on 32% of the tax base.
In the case of property received due to death (inheritance or bequest) or donation, provided that the purchaser is a child, grandchild, great-grandchild (without limitation of degree and in both directions) or the surviving spouse, the same rate applies. 2% but with a cap of 25 UMAS.

All taxes must be paid within the term established by law. The ISAI must be paid within 30 calendar days following the occurrence of each of the following situations: (i) The adjudication of the assets of the estate as well as when hereditary rights are assigned or assets are sold by the estate; (ii) in the case of acquisitions made through a trust, when the cases of alienation or assignment of rights are made, under the terms of the Federal Fiscal Code; (iii) when the resolution is registered or registered by the judicial or administrative authority, in cases of positive prescription, or award by auction; (iv) in the case of contracts of sale with reservation of title or promise of sale, as well as in the cases of assignment of rights related to said contracts, when the respective contract is executed; and, (v) as a general rule of supplementary application if the case is not foreseen in the previous cases, the term of 30 days is counted from the date of celebration of the act that causes the tax.

Not paying the tax or doing it out of time generates consequences. Contributing to public spending, through compliance with tax obligations, materializes the constitutional principle that empowers citizens to demand quality public services from their authorities.

A good municipal administrator will use the actions of the law to collect the omitted taxes, being able to exercise an action to seize the property even when they have already been the object of another sale. That’s why the importance of obtaining “municipal fiscal solvency” before signing a promise or purchase agreement. To your misfortune, the expenses and fees for the municipal procedure will also be for you.
Public notaries are prohibited from definitively authorizing the deed if the ISAI has not been paid. The municipal authority, after much pressure from the Mazatlan notaries, is about to implement an electronic system so that, from the notaries, such payment is made. This will imply savings in resources and greater efficiency in transactions.