Background on Key Figures and Relevance
The Mexican political landscape has seen opposition legislators from the PAN (National Action Party) and PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party) raise concerns over the recently approved 2026 Tax Law. These legislators, including Héctor Saúl Téllez and Rubén Moreira, hold significant influence in shaping public opinion on fiscal policies.
Héctor Saúl Téllez, a PAN legislator, has been vocal about detecting at least 72 increased concepts or new taxes within the law, such as quotas, rights fees, tariffs, and fines that Mexicans will have to pay. Rubén Moreira, a PRI legislator, has highlighted the government’s financial mismanagement and the creation of new taxes to compensate for it.
Key Points of Contention in the 2026 Tax Law
Increased Taxes and Fees
- A 25% increase on cigarettes
- A 100% rise in entrance fees for museums and archaeological zones
- Nearly 1% imposed on savings, effectively taxing citizens’ hard-earned money
- Additional 3 pesos for oral serums, impacting children’s, elderly, and athletes’ healthcare
Historic Debt Ceiling
The law sets a debt ceiling of 1.8 trillion pesos for 2026, resulting in a historical debt of 20.2 trillion pesos – double the amount inherited in 2018. This, according to opposition legislators, severely compromises the future of younger generations.
Expanded Government Surveillance Powers
Article 30-B of the Fiscal Code grants the tax authority (SAT) unrestricted access to digital platforms used by Mexican citizens. This allows the government to monitor users’ purchases, sales, usage patterns, and content consumption, raising privacy concerns.
Opposition’s Stance
Both PAN and PRI legislators have expressed their opposition to the tax law increases, emphasizing the reckless financial management that led to this situation. They argue that the government’s lavish spending on unproductive projects, such as non-functional refineries, airports, and trains, has left the country with no significant infrastructure improvements.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main concern of the opposition regarding the 2026 Tax Law? The opposition criticizes the law for increasing various taxes and fees, effectively burdening Mexican families with additional costs while also establishing a historic debt ceiling that they argue jeopardizes future generations’ well-being.
- Which specific tax increases are highlighted by the opposition? The opposition points out a 25% increase on cigarettes, a 100% rise in museum and archaeological zone entrance fees, nearly 1% imposed on savings, and an additional 3 pesos for oral serums impacting children’s, elderly, and athletes’ healthcare.
- What is the significance of the debt ceiling set by the 2026 Tax Law? The debt ceiling of 1.8 trillion pesos for 2026 results in a historical debt of 20.2 trillion pesos, which is double the amount inherited in 2018. Opposition legislators argue that this level of debt severely compromises the future of younger generations.
- How does the new Fiscal Code impact citizens’ privacy? Article 30-B of the Fiscal Code grants the tax authority (SAT) unrestricted access to digital platforms used by Mexican citizens. This allows the government to monitor users’ purchases, sales, usage patterns, and content consumption, raising privacy concerns.
