BajaNomad

New tourist tax?

pauldavidmena - 1-31-2020 at 11:17 AM

My wife and I will be renting a house in Todos Santos for 8 days starting next week. We booked the property through HomeAway and paid the bill in full at the time - or so we thought. Even though we were charged - and paid - a $543.40 tax back in July, just yesterday we were told to bring $224 in U.S. cash in what was also described as a "tax".

That comes out to $28 per day, but I thought any "tourist tax" was collected upon entry. Since we're flying in, my understanding was that this amount is added to the ticket price. Needless to say, we're a bit dumbfounded by this new charge and were wondering if anyone else had encountered this.

:?:

[Edited on 1-31-2020 by pauldavidmena]

pauldavidmena - 1-31-2020 at 12:14 PM

It looks like the "tax" was a misunderstanding on the part of the property manager, who thought that we had billed through AirBnB - who apparently don't always collect the 16% tax - instead of HomeAway, which definitely did collect it. When I produced a copy of the paid bill - and contacted the property owner - the picture got clearer.

Now we can spend that money on tequila! ;D

David K - 1-31-2020 at 01:25 PM

Wonderful news!:bounce::bounce::bounce:

pauldavidmena - 1-31-2020 at 01:39 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Wonderful news!:bounce::bounce::bounce:


It is. I tried to resist jumping to the conclusion that I was being scammed and instead allowed the property manager to "clarify" the situation. Sometimes it pays to be a pest.

RocketJSquirrel - 1-31-2020 at 04:41 PM

Or to just be patient and ask for the details...

RocketJSquirrel - 1-31-2020 at 04:43 PM

most people here are pretty decent and try to do things correctly.

pauldavidmena - 1-31-2020 at 05:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by RocketJSquirrel  
most people here are pretty decent and try to do things correctly.


I agree. I'm glad it worked out the way it did.

surabi - 1-31-2020 at 11:53 PM

The 16% tax has nothing whatsoever to do with tourism tax, which is an immigration charge which is part of your airline ticket or if you are driving, is charged when you get your tourist visa at the border.
The 16% is a goods and services tax charged on almost everything you buy in Mexico. It's administered by the Mexican tax department. Mexicans pay it as well. It has nothing to do with being a foreigner.

[Edited on 2-1-2020 by surabi]

[Edited on 2-1-2020 by surabi]

pauldavidmena - 2-1-2020 at 11:34 AM

I was billed for the 16% tax when I paid for my rental back in July. I'm assuming I paid the tourist tax at the time I purchased my airline tickets. This new tax - requested in U.S. currency - seemed a bit odd. I'm glad it turned out to be a mistake.
Quote: Originally posted by surabi  
The 16% tax has nothing whatsoever to do with tourism tax, which is an immigration charge which is part of your airline ticket or if you are driving, is charged when you get your tourist visa at the border.
The 16% is a goods and services tax charged on almost everything you buy in Mexico. It's administered by the Mexican tax department. Mexicans pay it as well. It has nothing to do with being a foreigner.

[Edited on 2-1-2020 by surabi]

[Edited on 2-1-2020 by surabi]

Alan - 2-1-2020 at 11:51 AM

The Tourist tax doesn't seem to be going over so well. I have a friend on the city council in La Paz and last I heard was La Paz was refusing to implement it. They felt they have enough problems with no direct flights from the states that they weren't going to add one more obstacle. Of course that was a few months ago so I'm not aware of current status.

Someone mentioned they are charging it at the border if you are driving. I'm driving down Thurs so they are going to charge 16% of what?

Howard - 2-1-2020 at 12:38 PM

For as long as I remember there has always been a tourist tax on airline flights into Mexico. It is built into the price of your ticket. If you look at the tax breakdown for the ticket it is and always has been there. I runs approx. US $25 and fluctuates on the strength of the Peso. Domestic flights such as TIJ-LTO does not charge. If you are a Residente Permanente you can apply for a refund at the customer service counter at Alaska in the states and your tax is refunded to whatever card you used for the purchase. I always apply for that refund at LAX because I assume other city customer service agents might not know what your talking about.

The price you paid makes it not necessary to get another FMM (or whatever they call it now) and pay anything more.

Alan - 2-1-2020 at 01:33 PM

I thought the tax being discussed was the new tax that was proposed which specifically targeted tourists. Similar to the VAT (value added tax) that they implemented a few years ago on all purchases

Alan - 2-2-2020 at 10:06 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Greengrass  
Quote: Originally posted by Alan  
The Tourist tax doesn't seem to be going over so well. I have a friend on the city council in La Paz and last I heard was La Paz was refusing to implement it. They felt they have enough problems with no direct flights from the states that they weren't going to add one more obstacle. Of course that was a few months ago so I'm not aware of current status.

Someone mentioned they are charging it at the border if you are driving. I'm driving down Thurs so they are going to charge 16% of what?

It sound what you heard was pure BS.
Oh so you are saying they are collecting it at the La Paz airport?

karenintx - 2-2-2020 at 05:35 PM

The IVA 16% Tax, The New BCS State Tourist Tax and the Tourist FMM Tax are three different animals.

IVA is 16%...charged at restaurants, stores (grocery, furniture, etc) Wal-Mart, Costco,VRBO, Airbnb, hotels etc.  A few years ago (at least in BCS)  this tax was either 8 or 9% then there was an increase to match the 16% that is charged on the mainland of Mexico.  Hotels may even charge more than 16%, some even have an additional room tax...just because they can!

The New BCS State Tourist Tax...when or if" they are finally able to get their act together this tax will be a flat 350 pesos (18 USD)  per foreigner which will be collected at airports, kiosk machines may be in some hotel lobbies and other public areas.  The BCS congress tried to get the airlines to "add" 350 pesos more to the taxes they already collect...they kindly told them "No, we will not collect a State Tax for you."  The hotels were then asked to collect the tax...they gave the same answer "NO".  Airlines are only required to collect "Federal Taxes" so since this is a "State Tax"  I can only assume that's the loop hole the airlines used "not to collect" the BCS State Tourist Tax.  Right now the collecting of the tax is on a voluntary base only.  Since the kiosk machines are at the opposite end of the airport the tourist do not know the machines are there...not that anyone will volunteer to pay an extra $18 to leave the country. 

When flying, a Tourist FMM Tax is included in your airline ticket, as required by Mexican INM Law.  Passengers are given a FMM form on the plane then the passenger is required by Mexican Law to surrender the bottom half of the form "IF" they want to board their flight back to the USA.  The passenger can always choose to drive back to the border and keep their bottom half of their FMM form as long as the INM agent put "extra" days on the form when they were processed by the INM agent at their arriving airport.  The airlines do not want your FMM form, it is the Mexican INM that requires each airline to collect the bottom portion of the form, then they are required to give that form back to the INM office located in the airport.   

Has anyone ever been in the INM office in the SJD airport?  Did you notice the stacks of FMM form (bottom halves only) with rubber bands wrapped around them?  As required by Mexican Law when flying out of the country I went to the SJD INM office to process my exiting paperwork, that is when I noticed multiple piles of FMM forms.  I said to the female agent...Mucho papeleo!  She rolled her eyes, nodded then said Si, Mucho. 

We all know how much Mexico loves their paperwork!

micah202 - 2-3-2020 at 03:50 PM

.

...mann, this is all beyond the less formal but often present 'Gringo Tax',, that can happen with traffic cops,,, Pemex stations,, restaurants, etc. :)

Purdyd - 2-4-2020 at 02:47 PM

When I got off the plane this weekend I was handed a piece of paper stating every foreign citizen must pay $360 peso.

At a kiosk or this website

https://www.travelerfundbcs.gob.mx/

David K - 2-4-2020 at 04:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Purdyd  
When I got off the plane this weekend I was handed a piece of paper stating every foreign citizen must pay $360 peso.

At a kiosk or this website

https://www.travelerfundbcs.gob.mx/



That is the new state tax imposed in Baja California Sur, if you stay more than 24 hours. A STATE, not a country, taxing foreign visitors... pretty sad. Well, you don't have to go there, I guess? :wow:

pauldavidmena - 2-4-2020 at 05:35 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by Purdyd  
When I got off the plane this weekend I was handed a piece of paper stating every foreign citizen must pay $360 peso.

At a kiosk or this website

https://www.travelerfundbcs.gob.mx/



That is the new state tax imposed in Baja California Sur, if you stay more than 24 hours. A STATE, not a country, taxing foreign visitors... pretty sad. Well, you don't have to go there, I guess? :wow:


I'm flying into Cabo on Friday, so I'll report my experience as well. I don't love "surprises" like a new tax, but $360 pesos translates to US $19.27, which is a whole lot better than the US $224 I was told to bring at the beginning of this thread.

How does the saying go? "What price paradise?"?

Purdyd - 2-4-2020 at 06:21 PM

I’m not sure if anyone checks if you paid.

Will they not let you leave without proof of paying the tax?

I flew in and out just a couple of weeks ago without knowing about this tax.

del mar - 2-4-2020 at 06:34 PM

I figured it was built in to the cost of a Pacifico at one of the new cantina's outside the terminal!

mtgoat666 - 2-4-2020 at 09:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by Purdyd  
When I got off the plane this weekend I was handed a piece of paper stating every foreign citizen must pay $360 peso.

At a kiosk or this website

https://www.travelerfundbcs.gob.mx/



That is the new state tax imposed in Baja California Sur, if you stay more than 24 hours. A STATE, not a country, taxing foreign visitors... pretty sad. Well, you don't have to go there, I guess? :wow:


Quit bellyaching over 360 pesos! You guys are a bunch of free loading tourists that complain about everything and nothing, and pinch a penny until it screams!
Stay home and complain to your mommies!

surabi - 2-5-2020 at 01:22 AM

Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena  


I'm flying into Cabo on Friday, so I'll report my experience as well. I don't love "surprises" like a new tax, but $360 pesos translates to US $19.27, which is a whole lot better than the US $224 I was told to bring at the beginning of this thread.

How does the saying go? "What price paradise?"?


You still don't get it. The $224 was a misunderstanding on the part of the property manager who thought you had rented through Airbnb, which doesn't collect the 16% IVA Goods and Services tax. It has nothing whatsoever to do with state or federal tourism tax.

pauldavidmena - 2-5-2020 at 09:47 AM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi  
Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena  


I'm flying into Cabo on Friday, so I'll report my experience as well. I don't love "surprises" like a new tax, but $360 pesos translates to US $19.27, which is a whole lot better than the US $224 I was told to bring at the beginning of this thread.

How does the saying go? "What price paradise?"?


You still don't get it. The $224 was a misunderstanding on the part of the property manager who thought you had rented through Airbnb, which doesn't collect the 16% IVA Goods and Services tax. It has nothing whatsoever to do with state or federal tourism tax.


I get that the $224 request was a misunderstanding. Even though the amount I was actually billed through HomeAway was more than that, it does add up to roughly 16% of my bill.

My point was that I'll report my experience of the tourist tax when I arrive in a couple of days.

pauldavidmena - 2-16-2020 at 01:22 PM

Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena  
Quote: Originally posted by surabi  
Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena  


I'm flying into Cabo on Friday, so I'll report my experience as well. I don't love "surprises" like a new tax, but $360 pesos translates to US $19.27, which is a whole lot better than the US $224 I was told to bring at the beginning of this thread.

How does the saying go? "What price paradise?"?


You still don't get it. The $224 was a misunderstanding on the part of the property manager who thought you had rented through Airbnb, which doesn't collect the 16% IVA Goods and Services tax. It has nothing whatsoever to do with state or federal tourism tax.


I get that the $224 request was a misunderstanding. Even though the amount I was actually billed through HomeAway was more than that, it does add up to roughly 16% of my bill.

My point was that I'll report my experience of the tourist tax when I arrive in a couple of days.


Sadly, we had to leave Mexico yesterday after visiting for only 8 days. There were no additional taxes or fees collected from us during the trip, although I realize that a tourist fee was likely bundled into the price of our plane ticket.

mtgoat666 - 2-16-2020 at 10:55 PM

You need to pay the fee online, at
https://www.travelerfundbcs.gob.mx/

I chit you not.

I think this is where gringos are supposed to pay fee to mexico, for Mexico to fund trump’s wall.

Ok, I made up that last bit, but the first bit is true. Mexico wants people to pay this fee in airport kiosks or online...

John Harper - 2-17-2020 at 07:48 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  

That is the new state tax imposed in Baja California Sur, if you stay more than 24 hours. A STATE, not a country, taxing foreign visitors... pretty sad. Well, you don't have to go there, I guess? :wow:


Visitors (foreign or not) to California pay CA (and sometimes LOCAL) sales tax on purchases as well as state gas taxes when they fill their cars. There is also TOT (transient occupancy taxes) levied on motel rooms by LOCAL governments as well. Imagine that, state and local governments need funds to operate. Who knew?

John

[Edited on 2-17-2020 by John Harper]

David K - 2-17-2020 at 09:55 AM

Yes, and San Diego is voting on a new hotel tax to fund the convention center additions (we want Comicon to stay here) as well as housing for homeless... It is a tax on something people elect to buy. It is not a tax on people crossing a line into a region. Taxing the traditionally free-movement of people is hard to justify, I think.

mtgoat666 - 2-17-2020 at 10:17 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Yes, and San Diego is voting on a new hotel tax to fund the convention center additions (we want Comicon to stay here) as well as housing for homeless... It is a tax on something people elect to buy. It is not a tax on people crossing a line into a region. Taxing the traditionally free-movement of people is hard to justify, I think.


This is not a tax that goes to the general fund. Website says it is a one time payment or contribution to a particular fund, so I think it is a fee. Also, website indicates it is a “one time” payment, so keep your receipt, Dk.

pauldavidmena - 2-17-2020 at 10:33 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Yes, and San Diego is voting on a new hotel tax to fund the convention center additions (we want Comicon to stay here) as well as housing for homeless... It is a tax on something people elect to buy. It is not a tax on people crossing a line into a region. Taxing the traditionally free-movement of people is hard to justify, I think.


This is not a tax that goes to the general fund. Website says it is a one time payment or contribution to a particular fund, so I think it is a fee. Also, website indicates it is a “one time” payment, so keep your receipt, Dk.


The website reads as if this "tax" is really a charitable donation, a voluntarily contribution. Odd that I'm only hearing about it for the first time now that I'm back in the U.S.