Mexico VAT (IVA) Guide for 2026: Rates, Registration & Compliance
Mexico's VAT (IVA) is 16%, with a reduced 8% border-zone rate. This guide covers RFC registration, the digital-services VAT rules for foreign platforms, and monthly filing with the SAT.
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Key Takeaways
Mexico's VAT (IVA) standard rate is 16%, with a reduced 8% rate in qualifying northern and southern border zones and a 0% rate for most food, medicines, and exports. Mexico doesn't use US-style economic nexus and has no small-supplier threshold — any business must register in the RFC to charge IVA, and non-resident providers of digital services to Mexican consumers must register with the SAT and charge 16% IVA under the regime in force since June 2020. SaaS and digital services are taxable at 16%.
Taxability Snapshot
SaaS
Taxable
Digital Goods
Taxable
Groceries
Zero-rated
Sales Tax Rates
Mexico's VAT (IVA) standard rate is 16%, applied to most goods, services, and digital supplies. A reduced 8% rate applies in the northern and southern border regions, and a 0% rate covers most food, medicines, and exports. The tax authority is the SAT.
Rate | Applies to |
|---|---|
Standard 16% | Most goods, services, digital supplies |
Border region 8% | Qualifying northern/southern border zones |
Zero 0% | Most food, medicines, exports |
Registration or Nexus Threshold
Mexico does not use US-style economic nexus, and there is no small-supplier threshold: any business must register in the RFC to operate and charge IVA [1]. Non-resident providers of digital services to Mexican consumers must register with the SAT and charge 16% IVA, under the regime in force since June 2020 [3]. Registration steps are in the How to Register section.
Filing Frequency & Deadlines
VAT is reported monthly. The tax must be remitted by the 17th of the following month, and customer information reported to the SAT by the 10th. From April 1, 2026, platforms must give the SAT real-time access to Mexican transaction data.
Exemptions
Most basic food, medicines, and exports are zero-rated (0%), and some services are exempt. SaaS and digital services supplied to Mexican consumers are taxable at 16%.
Penalties
Unpaid VAT is adjusted for inflation and accrues late-payment surcharges (recargos) of 2.07% per month for 2026, plus a penalty of roughly 55% to 75% of the omitted amount under Article 76 of the Federal Tax Code (CFF). Platforms face suspension risk for non-compliance with data-access rules.
Sources
[1] Servicio de Administración Tributaria — Ley del IVA, Article 1 (16% standard rate)
[3] Servicio de Administración Tributaria — Digital services by non-residents (registration and 16% IVA)
[4] Government of Mexico — 8% IVA fiscal stimulus for the northern and southern border regions
[5] Servicio de Administración Tributaria — Requirements to credit input IVA (acreditamiento)
[6] Servicio de Administración Tributaria — Recurso de revocación (appeals)
Verified July 2026 against Servicio de Administración Tributaria and Ley del IVA guidance.
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