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Many families in Mexico receive money from a relative in the United States and wonder if the SAT will tax them for it. The short answer: in most cases, no.
Remittances sent by a direct relative (spouse, father, mother, or child) are exempt from income tax in Mexico under Article 93 of the Income Tax Law, provided they do not exceed the established annual limit and the relationship can be proven.
Are remittances taxed in Mexico according to the SAT?
The Income Tax Law (ISR) in Mexico expressly establishes, in its Article 93, that income received as family remittances is exempt from ISR when it comes from a direct relative: spouse, parents, or children.
This exemption is not automatic in the sense that the SAT applies it without reviewing anything. It applies when two conditions are met:
- The sender has a direct family relationship with the beneficiary (spouse, father, mother, son, or daughter).
- The amount received during the year does not exceed the exemption limit established by law.
The exemption limit: 400 times the current daily minimum wage
The law does not set a fixed peso amount, because the limit is calculated based on the general daily minimum wage for the current year. The formula is: 400 times that value, calculated annually. Since the minimum wage is updated every year, the limit in pesos also changes. To find out the exact amount that applies in the current year, check the SAT portal or the National Minimum Wage Commission (CONASAMI) directly. Do not use figures from previous years because they are no longer valid.
The Northern Border Free Zone
In northern states of the country that are part of the Northern Border Free Zone, the general daily minimum wage is higher than in the rest of Mexico. This means that the ISR exemption limit is also higher for beneficiaries living in that region.
The Mexico-U.S. bilateral agreement avoids double taxation
Mexico and the United States have an agreement to prevent the same money from being taxed twice. This means that if the sender in the U.S. has already paid their taxes on that income in that country, the beneficiary in Mexico does not pay ISR on what they receive, within the limits set by law.
When you send money with Félix Pago from the U.S. to a relative in Mexico, each transfer generates a digital receipt with the date, amount, and sender's details: exactly the documentation the SAT may request to prove the family origin of the remittance.
When you do have to pay taxes for receiving money from abroad
The Article 93 exemption does not apply in all cases. If you receive money from abroad in any of these situations, you may have a tax obligation:
Transfers that exceed the annual exemption limit
If the total received during the year exceeds the equivalent of 400 times the current daily minimum wage, the excess may be subject to ISR. You do not lose the entire exemption; it only applies to the amount that exceeds the limit.
Money that does not come from a direct relative
If the person sending the money is not your spouse, parent, or child, the Article 93 exemption for family remittances does not apply. This includes siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and any relationship other than first-degree relatives.
Income from labor or commercial sources
If you receive payments from abroad for work performed (salary, fees, commissions) or business activities, that income must be declared as income from work or business activity, not as family remittances. These have a different tax treatment and generally are subject to income tax (ISR).
Cash deposits exceeding 15,000 pesos per month
This is a point that causes confusion: banks in Mexico are required to report cash deposits exceeding 15,000 pesos in a single month to the SAT. This applies specifically to cash deposits made at a teller window, not to electronic transfers. If you receive your Remittance directly into an account or digital wallet, this threshold does not trigger an automatic report. However, if someone deposits cash into your account in large amounts, it does trigger an alert for the SAT.
How to document your remittances to avoid problems with the SAT
Although the exemption applies automatically when the conditions are met, the SAT may ask you to prove the origin of the money, especially if the amounts are high or deposits are frequent. Keeping your documentation in order is the simplest way to avoid complications.
Keep receipts for every transfer
Each transfer generates a receipt or digital confirmation with the sender's name, the amount, and the date. Keep them. If your family member sends money via Félix, ask them to save and share the receipt for each transfer. If the transfer arrives via bank, download the account statement showing the deposit.
Prove the family relationship when the SAT requests it
The Article 93 exemption requires that you be able to prove the direct family relationship. Useful documents for this include: birth certificate, marriage certificate, or any official document that establishes the link between the sender and the beneficiary.
Know your RFC and use it correctly
The Federal Taxpayer Registry (RFC) is your tax identification with the SAT. If at any point the amounts you receive exceed the exemption limit and you need to file a tax return, you must be registered with the SAT using your RFC. If you do not have one, you can obtain it for free on the SAT portal or at any of their offices.
Keep an annual record of what you receive
If you receive remittances regularly, keep a simple record: date, amount, and sender's name. This allows you to know if you are close to the annual exemption limit and to plan ahead before the fiscal year closes.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I receive more than the annual exemption limit?
The amount exceeding the equivalent of 400 times the current daily minimum wage may be subject to income tax (ISR). In that case, you must file an annual tax return with the SAT and report the excess as income. We recommend consulting an accountant to calculate the correct tax, as there are deductions and credits that can reduce or eliminate the amount to be paid.
Do I need to declare if I receive remittances from my direct family member and I am within the limit?
Not necessarily. If the amounts are within the exemption limit and the money comes from a direct family member, there is no obligation to declare that income. However, if you have other taxable income during the year (salary, rental income, business activity), you must file an annual tax return and include all your income. Consult with the SAT or an accountant to verify your specific situation.
Can the SAT audit my accounts if I receive remittances regularly?
The SAT monitors bank activity that stands out, such as frequent or large deposits. If the total you receive is proportional to what a typical family receives for support and is backed by documentation, the risk of an audit is low. The key is to keep transfer receipts and be able to prove the direct family relationship if the SAT requests it.
The 1% tax on remittances in the United States: what you need to know as a recipient
As of January 1, 2026, the United States applies a 1% excise tax on cash remittances sent from the country. This tax is paid by the sender, not the recipient: legally, the person sending the money bears the cost. However, in practice, if the sender absorbs that 1% without adjusting the amount sent, the recipient receives less than what was agreed upon.
Transfers made with a debit or credit card issued by U.S. financial institutions, as well as bank transfers from U.S. accounts, are exempt from this tax. It only applies to cash payments.
To understand how this tax works, which payment methods avoid it, and how it affects you as a recipient, see the full article: 1% tax on remittances in 2026: what it is and how it affects you.
Sources and references
Mexican tax legislation
- SAT, Income Tax Law, Article 93: Legal basis for the exemption on family remittances and donations.
- CONASAMI: Current Minimum Wages: Official source for calculating the annual exemption limit (400 times the daily general minimum wage).
- SAT: Taxpayer Service Portal: Annual tax returns, RFC registration, and tax obligation inquiries.
Related content
- Money transfer guide
- How to send money with Félix
- Where can I receive money in Mexico
- Remittance: what it is and how it works
- International bank transfer
- Do remittances pay taxes?
- How much money can I receive from abroad without declaring it?
- 1% tax on remittances in 2026: what it is and how it affects you
