Working and Doing Business in Mexico During the World Cup: A Tax Guide for Foreigners (And How to Deduct Your Expenses)

The upcoming World Cup will bring not only football passion but also a historic influx of international executives, business owners, and digital nomads operating straight from Mexico. If you are one of them, or if your company is sending personnel to corporate hubs and destinations like Guadalajara, Riviera Nayarit, or Puerto Vallarta, there is an essential fiscal question you must address:

How can I legally deduct my travel and business expenses in Mexico so they are valid in my home country?

The Mexican tax system (managed by the SAT) is one of the most sophisticated and digitalized worldwide. Here is how to request valid international invoices, followed by an essential glossary to keep your cross-border accounting seamless.

How to Request Invoices in Mexico as a Foreigner (For Home-Country Deductions)

If you are staying in Mexico short-term for business or remote work, and you need to justify lodging, transportation, or professional services to your home tax authority (such as the IRS or CRA), a standard cash register receipt will not suffice.

1. Request a CFDI using the Foreigner Generic RFC: Every official expense in Mexico must be processed through an encrypted electronic invoice called a CFDI. As a non-resident, you must instruct the vendor to issue the invoice using the official generic code for foreign transactions: XEXX010101000.

2. Provide your native Tax ID: The Mexican provider must include your home country’s tax identification number (e.g., your US EIN or SSN) in the "Receiver" information section.

3. Keep both XML and PDF files: Mexican invoices consist of two interconnected digital files. For your accountants back home to integrate this as a valid international expense (under transfer pricing or corporate travel rules), you will need both files preserved.

Cross-Border Tax Glossary: Mexico vs. The World

To ensure you are on the same page as your financial advisors, here is the exact equivalent of the three fiscal pillars (Invoice, Consumption Tax, and Tax ID) between Mexico, the US, Canada, and Spain:

MÉXICO	CANADÁ	ESTADOS UNIDOS	ESPAÑA
Factura: CFDI (Comprobante Fiscal Digital por Internet).	Invoice / Receipt	Invoice / Receipt	Factura Ordinaria
Es un archivo electrónico encriptado de existencia obligatoria; un ticket de papel no tiene validez deducible.
IVA: Impuesto al Valor Agregado (Tasa general del 16%).	GST (Goods and Services Tax - Federal PST (Provincial Sales Tax) HST (Harmonized Sales Tax)	Sales Tax	IVA (Impuesto sobre el Valor Añadido)
Impuesto federal aplicado al consumo de bienes y servicios
RFC: Registro Federal de Contribuyentes	Business Number (BN) CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) SIN (Social Insurance Number)	EIN (Employer Identification Number) SSN / ITIN (Social Security Number / Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)	NIF (Número de Identificación Fiscal) NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) NIF de personas jurídicas (antiguo CIF)
El código único alfanumérico obligatorio para cualquier persona física o empresa que genere ingresos o posea activos (como bienes raíces) en México

Planning Your Corporate or Personal Presence for the World Cup?

Avoid costly fiscal compliance errors or audits regarding local SAT or Anti-Money Laundering (UIF) guidelines. At Cadena Advisors, we specialize in comprehensive cross-border tax strategies, linking our offices in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara to shield your global assets.