The Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT) has announced significant updates regarding the annual tax declarations for individuals in Mexico, particularly for the fiscal year 2024. This year, the SAT reported that the average refund time for taxpayers is now just eight business days, a remarkable reduction from the 40 days stipulated by the Federal Fiscal Code (CFC). As of 8:00 AM on April 21, 2025, the SAT had received 7,353,481 declarations, an increase of 353,823 or 5 percent compared to the same period last year.
Out of these declarations, 5,513,522 individuals have requested a balance in their favor. The SAT has already reviewed 2.8 million of these filings and has processed refunds totaling 15,106 million pesos. This swift processing comes after some complaints on social media regarding delays in receiving refunds for the annual tax declarations.
Taxpayers must file their annual declarations by the end of April 2025 to avoid penalties and ensure they receive any refunds due. The SAT has emphasized the importance of correctly completing the annual declaration to secure a balance in favor. Taxpayers with a balance can expect their refunds within a maximum of 40 business days after filing, although they have up to five years to submit their refund requests.
To qualify for a refund, taxpayers must ensure that their declarations reflect deductible expenses, which may include medical expenses, tuition fees, and mortgage payments, depending on their tax regime. The SAT has outlined specific steps for taxpayers to follow if they wish to receive their refunds automatically. This includes opting for the refund, providing an 18-digit CLABE account number, and specifying the name of the bank where the deposit will be made.
For those filing declarations with balances of 10,000 pesos or less, a password is required. If the balance exceeds 10,000 but is less than 50,000 pesos, the same applies, provided the account is preloaded in the SAT system. Otherwise, taxpayers must use their electronic signature (e.firma) to submit their declarations.
However, the SAT has warned that some taxpayers may be at risk of losing their balance in favor due to procedural omissions. Errors in the annual declaration process, particularly regarding the Digital Tax Receipts over the Internet (CFDI), can lead to complications. If receipts are incorrectly presented or fail to meet the necessary requirements, they may be deemed fiscally invalid, preventing the SAT from recognizing them during the verification process.
CFDI are essential electronic documents used to validate various transactions, including sales, income, expenses, and withholdings. Most taxpayers, including individuals with business activities, companies, and service providers, are required to use these receipts. The SAT receives real-time copies of every CFDI generated, allowing it to maintain an up-to-date record of taxpayers' commercial activities.
If taxpayers wish to check the status of their refunds, they can do so through the SAT portal by logging in with their RFC and password or e.firma. They should navigate to the "Refunds and Compensations" section and select "Tracking of Procedures and Requirements" to see the status of their refund.
Several factors can delay the processing of refunds. Common issues include errors in the declaration, such as incorrect data or inconsistencies, which can lead to the SAT requesting additional information for verification. Refunds exceeding 150,000 pesos may also undergo more detailed reviews, prolonging the process.
Taxpayers should ensure that the CLABE account number provided is accurate and registered in their name to avoid complications. The SAT also relies on the Tax Mailbox as the official channel for communicating observations or requirements. If this mailbox is inactive, taxpayers may miss important notifications.
In cases where taxpayers have unpaid fines or tax debts, the SAT may apply their balance in favor to settle these debts, resulting in a partial or zero refund. Additionally, if taxpayers declare incomplete income or make unsupported deductions, this can lead to inconsistencies detected by the SAT, further complicating the refund process.
As the deadline approaches for filing the 2025 Annual Declaration, individuals are encouraged to take action promptly to ensure they meet all requirements and receive any potential refunds. With the SAT reporting record tax collections and a commitment to improving taxpayer services, the hope is that this year's filing process will be smoother and more efficient for all.
In the first quarter of 2025, the SAT reported a historic increase in tax collection, amounting to one trillion 522 billion 101 million pesos, which reflects a real growth of 17.8 percent compared to the previous year. This increase is the highest for the same period since 2015 and indicates a strong compliance rate of 102.5 percent against the projected targets set by the Federal Income Law for 2025.
The SAT collected 901 billion 258 million pesos from Income Tax (ISR) during this period, marking an increase of 185 billion 130 million pesos compared to the first three months of 2024. Additionally, the Value Added Tax (VAT) collection reached 400 billion 444 million pesos, an increase of 81 billion 90 million pesos from the previous year. The Special Tax on Production and Services (IEPS) contributed 154 billion 167 million pesos, while other taxes brought in 66 billion 233 million pesos.
With these figures, the SAT continues to consolidate tax collection through its Master Plan 2025, ensuring fair and equitable payment of contributions. The organization is also focused on enhancing taxpayer assistance and combating tax evasion and smuggling, which are vital for maintaining the integrity of the tax system.
