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Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Mexico visitors to get sales tax rebates
Travelers to Mexico can now get the sales tax they paid while visiting returned to them as they leave the country. Mexico’s sales tax is nothing to sneeze at - normally 15 percent of purchases.The big catch is that you’ll need a receipt from a store that is part of Mexico’s Tax Administration Service, meaning purchases at Mexico’s legion of markets and street stalls don’t qualify.
The rebates are only available to visitors who leave by air or sea and can prove that they spent at least 1,200 pesos (about $115) while in Mexico, and don’t apply to lodging or food. For now the program is in effect at the airports in Mexico City, Cancun, Guadalajara, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta. The second stage will hit airports in Monterrey, Morelia, Mazatlan, Cozumel and El Bajio later this year.
The program is modeled after those in Europe and other international destinations and is aimed at stimulating travel (and souvenir buying) to Mexico.
