Thoughts on Zacatecas

[tftimm]

Originally Posted by GringoCArlos

It depends. If you work for a foreign company at a MX location, and have a "no imigrante" visa (used to be called an FM-3), have the US company sponsor you for the MX plant, and get paid outside of MX (into your US account), you do NOT pay MX income taxes. You must still file your annual US tax return but can use the Foreign Earned Income exclusion up to the limit (for 2011 it is $92,900) to also not pay income taxes in the US.

If the company you are going to work for here is a MX company, but they also have a separate sister US company for their business there, get them to structure the agreement so that you work for/get paid by the US sister company, and are on assignment to the MX company. You will be working as a specialist/consultant to the MX company.

That will work for the first 5 years in order to not be liable for the MX income taxes. There may be a twist to this by having a MX national for your spouse. If you get (what used to be) an FM-2 visa (inmigrante) you will be liable for MX taxes from day 1, but will receive credit against your US taxes for the MX income taxes paid.

There is quite a bit of paperwork to file with INM, but the company here can easily find an abogado to do this for you. The US company writes a sponsoring letter, the MX company writes a sponsoring letter, your college transcripts or proof of many years of experience in your field, etc.

(I didn't come to MX as a retiree, I came here to work, and went through this process. The tax savings are a great benefit to being a working expat.) Suerte.

I would be working and be paid by the US company direct deposited into my US bank account and would get an FM3, or no inmigrate visa. That is what I have been told, therefore, it sounds like I would not be responsible for US income tax or Mexico income tax and would be sure to claim the Foreign Tax Credit when I prepared my taxes.
My wife is a housewife and so she doesn't plan on working in Mexico. From the sounds of it, as long as I am paid from a US company into my US bank account and have an FM-3 visa, I should be clear of any taxes should I make less than $92,900.

Thank you so much and hopefully I understood your details correctly!

[RVGRINGO]

The USA taxes you on worldwide income. There is no way out. You will still need permission from INM to work in Mexico, even as a 'visiting specialist', regardless of where, if, or how, you are paid.
On renting without paperwork; it sounds like you are already thinking 'tax evasion', a great way to get deported without your 'goodies'.
On the vehicle; Nissan and VW are the most popular here. Honda & Toyota are newer in Mexico. If you are going to live in Mexico, consider buying your next vehicle in Mexico. It will be more convenient if you drive back and forth to the USA and you can avoid the heavy luxury tax on newer vehicles (tenencia) if you buy a four door pick-up.
On your taxes; you'll need to hire a local accountant if you make any money in Mexico.

[tftimm]

I will be getting a formal offer on Wednesday of this week. I'm still not 100% sure about the whole Tax situation, but I will want to see a tax attorney to be sure before I sign on the dotted line.

I'm excited, I just hope they make it worth my while.