The Mexican government is in the process of instituting a program for reimbursing the tax on products foreign tourists purchase during their visit to Mexico. Read on to find out if you are eligible, and how to go about claiming the tax refund for tourists to Mexico.
Eligibility for tax refund
To be eligible for the tax refund, you must have spent at least 1200 pesos on Mexican goods - there's no refund for services, so hotel and food expenses do not apply - and you must return to your country by sea or air. Each receipt that you present must be for at least 1200 pesos (individual items may cost less, but the complete purchase at the store must be for at least that amount), and if the purchase was paid for in cash, must be less than 3000 pesos. Purchases must be made in stores and establishments that are affiliated with the tax reimbursement program in order to qualify.
Procedure for obtaining a refund
To obtain the refund, on the day of your departure you must visit one of the tax refund kiosks located at certain airports throughout Mexico (see below), and hand in the reimbursement request form completely filled out, with banking information (name of bank and account number). You must present your passport, immigration form (such as a tourist card), plane ticket, purchase receipts, and bring along the goods purchased to be verified.
You will receive 50% of the reimbursement (up to 10 000 pesos) in cash, and the other 50% will be refunded through electronic transfer to your bank account within 40 days.
Availability
The tourist tax refund program began in June 2008, and is being phased in gradually. Currently, tax refund kiosks are only available at the airports in Mexico City, Cancún, Guadalajara, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta. In the coming months, the next phase of the program will be initiated, and the airports in Monterrey, Cozumel, El Bajio, Mazatlan and Morelia will be included. At a later date all international airports and the cruise ports of Acapulco, La Paz, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Huatulco will be included in the program.
For more information, visit the Web Site of YVESAM, one of the operators of the tourist tax refund service.
