According to El Sol de Yucatan, Morena legislators and their allies in the Yucatán State Congress have denied a 7% property tax increase in Mérida but approved hikes of up to 150% in other municipalities. This move has sparked criticism for its apparent inconsistency.
During the discussion of the 2025 fiscal package for Yucatán, the Mérida City Council’s request for a 7% increase in property tax was denied, resulting in a loss of about 100 million pesos in potential revenue. However, Congress approved tax law modifications for 25 other municipalities, leading to significant increases in property tax and fees for permits, operating licenses, and construction.
Municipalities like Conkal, Kanasín, Progreso, Hunucmá, Telchac Puerto, and Umán saw property tax increases ranging from 25% to 150%. For example:
– In Conkal, property taxes tripled from 500 to 1,500 pesos.
– Telchac Puerto imposed a 40% property tax increase and set new fees for garbage collection: 19,982 pesos monthly for hotels, motels, and condominiums, and 10,857 pesos for the industrial sector.
– In Umán, taxes rose by 50%, increasing from 500 to 750 pesos.
– Kanasín, led by PAN’s Edwin Bojórquez Ramírez, saw a 30% increase amid corruption allegations.
The refusal to increase taxes in Mérida is seen as a political message, coinciding with Senate President Gerardo Fernández Noroña’s announcement that Morena aims to win Mérida’s mayorship in 2027.
Other municipalities also experienced sharp fee hikes for operating licenses:
– In Halachó, supermarket licenses increased from 8,000 to 100,000 pesos, and gas station licenses from 5,500 to 200,000 pesos.
– In Huhí, fees for beer sales licenses increased from 28,000 to 70,000 pesos.
– Celestún saw fees for businesses selling alcoholic beverages rise from 50,000 to 150,000 pesos.
Despite the significant increases, Morena deputies approved the changes without considering the economic impact and potential effects on employment.
These decisions have sparked debate about fairness and the true motives behind tax policies in Yucatán’s municipalities.
