What Is the DIOT?
The Declaración Informativa de Operaciones con Terceros (DIOT) — Mexico's Informational Return for Third-Party Transactions — is a mandatory tax obligation established under the Ley del Impuesto al Valor Agregado (LIVA), Mexico's Value Added Tax law. Using electronic form A-29, taxpayers must report to the SAT (Mexico's tax authority) all transactions carried out with their suppliers during a given reporting period.
The return is filed through the SAT's online portal during the month following the period being reported. It is important to note that the obligation to file the DIOT applies even when no transactions with third parties took place during the period.
Who Is Required to File?
All individuals (personas físicas) and legal entities (personas morales) subject to Mexico's VAT law must file the DIOT, including:
- Individuals engaged in business activities
- Independent professionals (self-employed)
- Landlords and property lessors
- For-profit and non-profit legal entities
What Transactions Must Be Reported?
All domestic and/or foreign transactions that have been effectively paid must be declared, including:
- Lease or rental payments
- Professional services fees
- Purchases of goods and merchandise
- Any other consideration paid to third parties
Supplier Classification
Suppliers are divided into three categories:
1. Domestic Supplier (Proveedor Nacional)
Individuals or legal entities with a registered tax address (domicilio fiscal) in Mexico.
2. Foreign Supplier (Proveedor Extranjero)
Individuals or legal entities residing outside of Mexico.
3. Global Supplier (Proveedor Global)
A catch-all category for minor transactions. Payments recorded under this category may not exceed 10% of total payments for the period, and no single payment may individually exceed MXN $50,000.
How to File
The filing method depends on the volume of records:
- Up to 40,000 records: Filed online through the SAT portal
- More than 40,000 records: Filed in person at the local taxpayer services office (Administración Local de Servicios al Contribuyente), submitted on CD or USB drive
Filing Deadline
The DIOT must be filed no later than the last business day of the month following the reporting period. For example:
- January transactions: deadline is the last day of February
- February transactions: deadline is March 31
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to file the DIOT on time and in proper form carries fines ranging from MXN $9,430 to MXN $18,860, in addition to any further tax consequences that may arise.
DPIVA: The Next Evolution of the DIOT
The SAT has introduced a new XML-based format called the Declaración de Proveedores de IVA (DPIVA), designed to simplify and modernize the process of reporting third-party transactions.
Need Help Filing Your DIOT?
At SOLPROAM, we help you prepare and file your Declaración Informativa de Operaciones con Terceros accurately and on time. Contact us for personalized tax guidance.