Mexican income tax on rental income

[doncoulter]

In addition to the concerns mentioned by mr bill, our local government is starting to look into Airbnb and similar rentals. There was recently a gas explosion in an Airbnb unit here, which caused some injuries, and that appears to be the impetus behind the government's sudden interest in the matter. Currently they're talking about a single annual assessment on all units, a fee of 10,000 pesos on every property regardless of whether it's a studio apartment or a five-bedroom mansion. If that seems crazy, well, that's our local government. It recently sponsored a voluntary orientation for Airbnb-type owners to discuss the proposal, and -- surprise! -- only a handful of people showed up. The good news for owners who hope to avoid such fees is that our government is incredibly slow to accomplish anything. Those who've lived here awhile know what I'm talking about. Bla bla bla for year after year about the lousy bus service, though it finally appears some changes may be under way. There was similar bla bla bla for maybe five years about restaurant tables invading the public walkways; that issue was finally resolved, so things can happen eventually.

My guess is that our friends in the government will get around to assessing an Airbnb fee two or three years from now. And once they accomplish that, they might begin to get serious about seeing to it that Airbnb owners pay their taxes. I've heard that the government in San Miguel has started to do that, so perhaps Guanajuato won't be far behind. But it usually is.