VAT tax in Mexico

[Peter-and-Wendy2]

I have 2 separate questions regarding the VAT taxes collected by Airbnb on the rentals of my Mexican property:

1) As I host, I must pay VAT tax on the hosting fee which I pay to Airbnb.  I understand and accept that. Airbnb sends me an invoice/receipt which shows the fee and the VAT tax which they charged me.  However, my Mexican accountant just told me that since my RFC number does not appear on this receipt, the receipt will not be accepted by the Mexican tax authorities.  How can I get a receipt with my RFC number on it?

2) As a guest, my guests are supposedly charged and pay to Airbnb a 16% VAT tax for Mexico.  My accountant advises me that I should get a print-out of all RFC taxes paid for my property or I will be liable to pay them again when the tax authorities see my income.  How do I get proof of VAT taxes paid on my property rentals?

[Peter-and-Wendy2]

I'd like clarification on this as well Tom as my Mexican accountant still does not believe that Airbnb is processing the VAT collections and payments properly.  He has not yet seen clear paperwork to the renters (us) regarding how much is collected, who it's paid to and what we, as renters, are responsible to pay.  Hopefully the more tax educated out there on these links will reply.  Thank you!

[Jason2150]

Some time has passed since this thread was active.  I am struggling to understand the payments my accountant is making to SAT.  (For background, my property is in Jalisco and I have a (Mexican) RFC and all of my tax situation is in Mexico.)

I see that Airbnb is now collecting and remitting to the respective authorities the following deductions - Host service fee (3.0%), MX income tax withheld (4%),  VAT withheld (8%).   The guest paid - rental, cleaning fee, Guest services fee, and "Occupancy taxes".  

Now the Occupancy taxes the guest paid is almost exactly 19% (IVA + Jalisco Lodging tax ISH 3%).

BUT I am not receiving the entire 19% in order to remit this to SAT.   I am receiving 16% of the taxes collected from the guest to pay.  Then I get how Airbnb is sending 8% of it (VAT withheld) over to SAT and my accountant sends over the rest depending upon cancellations/etc.

So from what I see, Airbnb is POCKETING? 3% of the collected taxes the guest paid  but did not send to me and I have no record of who that amount is going to or why?   Is it just me or is this still broken?

[Peter-and-Wendy2]

Jason,

Maybe I misunderstand what you're saying and/or asking; but you state that "Host service fee (3%)".  Isn't that the 3% you're saying that Airbnb "POCKETED"?  That is their fee to you, the host, no?

In any event, I do believe that this system is not exactly right and have trouble having anyone explain it to me in layman's terms.  Before retiring to operate my little B&B here in Guerrero, I was a CEO and CFO in a multi-million $ U.S. company.  I do know my ways a bit around taxes, fees and $$'s.

But this is MEXICO, and all bets are off here!

However, I've learned that the most important aspect is to have a trusted accountant in whatever country you operate in and "leave the driving to them"!

Best of luck!

Pete