Lake Chapala-Ajijic Tax Payers Guide

Here’s a guide to paying your taxes at Lake Chapala – Ajijic.

First you should pay them early to get a discount. Pay before the end of February for a 15% discount.

Property Taxes (Impuesto predial) can be paid in the main lobby of the Chapala Palacio Municipal on Madero across the street form the big church in downtown Chapala.

They’re open from 9 am until 3 pm Monday – Friday. Get a numbered ticket to secure your place in line (Ficha) and wait your turn.

Give the clerk your previous year’s receipt even if it’s in the name of a previous owner. You can show the clerk your new deed and next year the bill will be in your name.

This clerk forwards electronically the information to a cashier across the room where you will now proceed to actually pay the bill just generated in cash. All fo this should only take about 15 minutes.

Normally each year the taxes go up just a bit as the new valuations are done

If you have other issues not covered here just ask to speak to an English speaker. There are bilingual folks in the management team above the clerk level.

Water Fees:

If you live in an area where the Neighborhood Association provides water services you pay your water fees as part of your monthly home owner dues.

If you live in Chapala or Ajijic you will need to go to the respective SIMAPA office. Chapala residents can pay in the same building where you paid your property taxes.

Ajijic residents will pay at Calle Guadalupe Victoria just behind Farmacia Guadalajara.

Water fees went up approx. 10% in 2008.

Car Taxes: You can pay at most local banks or go to the office in Chapala at Calle Jarez 575D. Open M – F from 9 am until 2 pm.

All you need to provide is the license plate number. IMPORTANT NOTE: This is for Mexican plated vehicles only.

If you drive a US or Canadian plated car you’re supposed to pay your car taxes in your home country, but many local residents do not do so and the local traffic police do not seem to be very vigilant on enforcing this requirement. So, let your conscious be your guide.

But, if you were to have a wreck you may have a problem if your insurance company is looking for a way not to pay (as they usually do). It may be a requirement that the vehicle be properly registered before they will pay. They call this a “policy exclusion”. So, check your insurance contract to be sure before you decide not to keep your car properly registered in your home country.

So, there you have it. The gringos guide to Tax Paying at Lake Chapala Ajijic Mexico.