ileen

Just curious--Is there sales tax on items in Mexico.

In US some states do not have sales tax, while others have no sales tax on clothing or shoes and still others have sales tax on everything excepting food items.

Thanks for your input.

baldone

Yes, it's a value-added tax called IVA, and it's 16%. It's included in the price you'll see on price tags. Typically it will be itemized on your restaurant bill and on ATM withdrawals. Food purchases at markets and grocery stores are exempt. It is a federal tax, not state.

ileen

Thanks for your help.
I like to have as much knowledge as I can before I travel so that I don't get too many shocks.
Have a great day.

Rohelio

As mentioned by baldone, the tax called IVA, meaning Impuesto de Valor Agregado, is added to all goods and services, even internet and telephone services. The tax is supposed to be included in the posted price but is not always itemized seperatlely on your bill. Some border states such as Quintana Roo and Baja California Peninsula may have slightly deiffrent percentages of tax, maybe 1 or 2 percentage points difference, not worth the concern, unless your investing in real estate or something likely.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

The IVA difference for the border states was done away with at the beginning of 2014. The tax is uniform across Mexico now.

suze

You didn't specifically ask but there is also a fairly hefty tax on hotel rooms.

ileen

Thanks again. Good information to learn before traveling.

Rohelio

Thanks for the update Jeff_Costa_Rica. I had heard of an increase last year but I was not aware that it was meant to equalize taxes accross the country.