Latin America Advisor

Nicolás Mariscal, member of the Advisor board and chairman of Grupo Marhnos: “Tax evasion has always been a problem all over Latin America, and Mexico is not the exception. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the percentage of resources obtained through tax contributions is one of the lowest in the region, particularly given the total wealth in the country. Mexico’s tax revenue is only 13 percent of GDP, according to the World Bank. Various administrations have tried to tackle this problem but have been unable to alleviate the situation. In late June, the Tax Administration Service announced there were more than 8,200 companies with simulations of commercial transactions and emissions of false invoices, allowing irregularities of more than $17 billion. Tax evasion and its side effects have been a priority for López Obrador since he took office. In fact, on Oct. 15, the lower house passed a bill that would make tax fraud and the purchase or sale of false receipts a type of organized crime with more severe penalties. Now this felony falls in the same category and, hence, is subject to the same punishments as organized crime. While these measures and the relentless approach López Obrador has launched against tax evasion deserve praise, they…”