The Tax System in Aguascalientes: Everything You Need to Know (From a Touring Session Drummer's POV)

so here's the deal with taxes in Aguascalientes... i moved here for the gigs, not the paperwork. but turns out, this city's tax system is kinda like that one drummer who always shows up early with extra sticks - surprisingly reliable.

first off, Aguascalientes has this reputation for being mexico's tax collection superstar. like, the city collects about 98% of what it's supposed to collect - which is wild compared to other parts of the country. i heard this from a bartender who moonlights as an accountant, so you know it's legit.

The Basics (That Won't Put You to Sleep)

local taxes here break down into a few main categories:
- *Impuesto Sobre Nómina (Payroll Tax) - 2% on salaries paid to employees
- Impuesto Sobre Hospedaje (Hotel Tax) - 3% on hotel stays
- Impuesto Sobre Adquisición de Inmuebles (Property Transfer Tax) - 5-7% depending on the value

i've been crashing in different spots around town while touring, and let me tell you - that hotel tax barely shows up on your bill. it's like finding an extra pair of drumsticks in your bag that you forgot about.

The Weather's Hot, But The Taxes Aren't

right now it's that perfect Aguascalientes spring - warm enough to make you sweat through your shirt during soundcheck, but not so hot that your cymbals feel like stovetop burners. and speaking of heat, the tax climate here is surprisingly cool. compared to Guadalajara or Monterrey, which are just a few hours away by car, Aguascalientes keeps things straightforward.

Real Talk From The Locals

"the tax office here is actually helpful," said maria, who runs a taco stand near the historic center. "back in mexico city, it was like trying to tune a drum with frozen fingers. here, they actually answer questions."

i've been checking out TripAdvisor's guide to Aguascalientes for gig venues, and the same places keep coming up - which tells me the local business scene is stable enough to support repeat customers. stable business = predictable taxes = happy drummers.

For The Gigging Musicians Among Us

if you're working as a freelancer or doing session work (like me), you'll deal with the RFC registration* - basically your tax ID. it's not as scary as it sounds. i went to the local SAT office (that's the tax authority) and was in and out in under an hour. bring your passport, proof of address, and a good attitude.

Cost Of Living Breakdown

The Bottom Line

look, i'm not gonna sit here and tell you taxes are fun. but in Aguascalientes, they're about as painless as a root canal with good anesthesia. the system works, the people are helpful, and you can actually understand what you're paying for. that's more than i can say for some of the venues i've played where the sound guy was clearly running on three hours of sleep and pure spite.

if you're thinking about moving here for the music scene (or anything else), don't let the tax stuff scare you off. it's way easier than trying to explain to a sound guy why you need more snare in your monitor for the fifth time.

Check out local forums on Reddit for more real-talk from people actually living here. and maybe swing by la france bar - i'll probably be the one setting up a drum kit in the corner, praying the tax paperwork doesn't follow me home.

---

You might also be interested in:

• https://topiclo.com/post/parttime-job-opportunities-for-students-in-prague-dont-even-ask-me-how-im-awake
• https://topiclo.com/post/the-best-public-and-private-schools-in-san-salvador-according-to-a-cynic-with-a-notebook-full-of-bad-coffee-stains
• https://topiclo.com/post/the-local-food-scene-in-tampa-what-the-residents-actually-eat-according-to-a-sleepdeprived-busker
• https://topiclo.com/post/toronto-frozen-fingers-questionable-poutine
• https://topiclo.com/post/top-companies-in-kayseri-a-diy-buskers-unfiltered-guide-to-whos-actually-paying-the-bills