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Many people who receive remittances from a relative abroad wonder if they need to report anything to the SAT. The answer depends on who sends you the money, how much you receive during the year, and how it arrives in your account.
Most family remittances are exempt from income tax (ISR) in Mexico under Article 93 of the Income Tax Law, provided they come from a direct relative (spouse, parent, or child) and do not exceed the annual limit equivalent to 400 times the general daily minimum wage in effect for the corresponding year.
When do you NOT have to declare the remittances you receive?
Article 93 of the Income Tax Law exempts family remittances from income tax when they come from a direct relative (spouse, parent, or child) and do not exceed the equivalent of 400 times the general daily minimum wage in effect for the year. If the money comes from a more distant relative or exceeds that limit, the exemption does not apply. For the complete legal framework regarding these exemptions, see: What are the taxes for receiving money from abroad?
The practical threshold you need to know: cash vs. electronic transfer
If you receive remittances via bank transfer, wallet deposit, or any electronic means (like those used by Félix), what determines whether you must declare them is Article 93, not the payment channel. The channel does matter for a different threshold: cash deposits into Mexican bank accounts exceeding 15,000 pesos per month trigger an automatic report to the SAT by the bank, although that report is not a tax return and does not automatically imply that you must pay income tax.
Receiving remittances via electronic transfer does not trigger the automatic report for cash deposits. The bank only reports when someone deposits physical bills at a teller window or ATM for more than 15,000 pesos per month, regardless of the source of the money.
When DO you have to declare?
There are situations where the remittances you receive fall outside the Article 93 exemption and become income that you must report to the SAT.
You exceed the annual limit equivalent to 400 times the daily minimum wage
If the sum of the remittances you receive from the same relative during the year exceeds that cap, the excess is no longer exempt. You must include it in your annual tax return as income received for support.
The sender is not a first-degree relative
If the person sending you the money is a friend, an employer, or a more distant relative, that transfer does not qualify under Article 93. The SAT may consider it ordinary income subject to income tax, depending on the context.
Commercial money disguised as a family remittance
Receiving payments for services or sales through transfers from relatives to avoid taxes is a practice that the SAT detects and penalizes. If the source of the money is commercial, the exemption does not apply even if the person transferring it is your spouse or child.
Cash deposits exceeding 15,000 pesos per month
As explained above, cash deposits of more than 15,000 pesos per month generate an automatic report from the bank to the SAT (Miscellaneous Tax Resolution). If you cannot justify the source of those funds, the SAT may presume they are undeclared income. That is why it is essential to keep the receipts for every transfer.
Large SPEI transfers
The SPEI (Interbank Electronic Payment System) does not have a fixed amount limit, but high-value transactions may be reviewed by banking institutions as part of their money laundering prevention controls. This does not equate to an automatic tax, but it can lead to requests for documentation. For more context on how these international bank transfers work, you can consult the glossary.
The 1% U.S. tax starting in 2026: how it may affect what you receive
Starting January 1, 2026, cash transfers from the United States are subject to a 1% excise tax, paid by the sender. If your family member uses a debit or credit card from a U.S. financial institution, or makes a bank transfer from a U.S. account, the transfer is exempt. This may affect the amount you receive if the sender does not adjust the total sent. To understand in detail how it works and which payment methods avoid it, see: 1% tax on remittances in 2026: what it is and how it affects you.
How to properly document your remittances (and why it matters with Félix)
Keeping an organized record of the remittances you receive is the best protection against any review by the SAT. It is not about having an accountant, but about keeping basic evidence of each transfer.
Keep the receipt for every transfer
Every time you receive a remittance through a digital service, that transfer generates an electronic record: transaction number, date, amount, and sender's name. When your family member sends money with Félix, the record of each transfer is saved in their WhatsApp chat. Ask them for the receipt: it can serve as evidence of the source of the funds if the SAT ever asks you for explanations.
Link the receipt to the family relationship
If the SAT asks you about deposits you received, it is not enough to show that the money arrived: you must also prove who sent it to you and the family relationship. A transfer receipt plus a copy of the birth certificate or marriage certificate is sufficient in most cases.
RFC and bank account
You do not need an RFC to receive remittances in Mexico, but you do need a bank account in your name for electronic transfers to arrive directly. Cash remittances (pickup at a store or branch) do not require an account or RFC, but they also do not generate the electronic record that protects you before the SAT.
When to consult an accountant
If you receive remittances that approach or exceed the limit of Art. 93, or if you receive money from multiple senders, it is worth consulting a public accountant to determine if you should file an annual tax return. The cost of the advice is usually much lower than a fine for omission.
Frequently asked questions
Can the SAT audit me for receiving remittances?
Yes, the SAT can request information about any income it detects in your bank account, including remittances. This does not mean you have a tax problem: if the remittances come from a direct family member and are within the limit of Art. 93, you can justify them with the transfer receipts and the documents that prove the family relationship.
Do I need an RFC to receive remittances from abroad?
No. You do not need an RFC to receive remittances in Mexico. However, having an active RFC is useful if you ever need to file a return, for example, if the amounts exceed the exemption of Art. 93.
What happens if I receive remittances from several family members at the same time?
The exemption of Art. 93 applies by type of income, not by individual sender. If you add up remittances from several direct family members and the total exceeds the equivalent of 400 times the daily minimum wage for the year, the excess is no longer exempt. Keep a separate record by sender to be able to calculate the annual total accurately.
Sources and references
Government of Mexico / SAT
- Income Tax Law, Art. 93 (ISR exemptions for income from support received from direct family members.)
- SAT: Check current minimum wage and tax limits (To calculate the peso equivalent of the Art. 93 limit for the current year.)
Miscellaneous Tax Resolution
- Official Gazette: Current Miscellaneous Tax Resolution (Rule regarding cash deposits over 15,000 pesos per month and the bank reporting obligation to the SAT.)
CONASAMI
- National Minimum Wage Commission (Tables of the current daily general minimum wage by year, necessary to calculate the Art. 93 exemption limit.)
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