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Mexico’s Aguinaldo Season: Deadline Nears as Spending Plans Outpace Saving

Workers face a December 20 payout cutoff with a tax‑free portion set at 3,394.20 pesos.

Overview

  • Mexican law guarantees an aguinaldo of at least 15 days’ salary paid in cash before December 20, with proportional payment for those with under a year of service.
  • Employers that delay or skip payment can be fined from 5,657 to 565,700 pesos per affected worker, and sanctions do not remove the obligation to pay.
  • For 2025, the income tax exemption equals 30 times the UMA, approximately 3,394.20 pesos, and only the excess over that amount is subject to ISR.
  • Consumer surveys diverge on saving: Kantar finds 75% plan to buy gifts and 27% to save or invest, while Research Land reports 44% intend to save or invest and 42% to spend on personal purchases.
  • Anpec notes only about 45% of the employed population receives the benefit and frames both the aguinaldo and the 2026 minimum‑wage rise of 13% to 315.04 pesos per day as short‑lived relief against higher living costs.