Learn the importance of correctly determining this account and how to distribute dividends.
At the end of each fiscal year, legal entities calculate two types of profits: the accounting profit, which is used for financial, corporate purposes, and for distributing dividends to shareholders; and the tax profit, which is determined in accordance with the “Ley del Impuesto sobre la Renta (LISR)” and serves as the basis for calculating the annual tax.
These profits often differ because the “Normas de Información Financiera (NIF)” and the LISR apply different criteria for the recording of transactions and the recognition of income and deductions. Some of the key differences include:
- Annual inflation adjustment (accumulated): This is a tax-only income.
- Tax profit from the sale of shares and assets: The calculation differs between accounting standards and tax rules.
- Depreciation (fiscal vs. accounting): The LISR includes an inflation adjustment.
- Cost of sales: In accounting terms, the cost of goods sold is recognized, whereas, for tax purposes, it is deducted differently.
- Non-deductible expenses: Some expenses that do not meet tax requirements, although recognized as expenses for accounting purposes.
- Updating of contributions: For accounting purposes, income derived from compensations or refunds is recorded as income.
Legal entities will pay income tax (ISR) on the fiscal profit of the year when submitting their tax return, which, as mentioned, may differ from the accounting profit.
Legal entities are required to maintain a Net Taxable Profit Account (CUFIN), which is used to determine the amount of profits for which income tax (ISR) has already been paid. Therefore, when distributing these profits, no additional tax will be levied. Profits distributed that do not come from this account, however, will be subject to ISR. (Articles 10 and 77, LISR).
The CUFIN (Net Taxable Profit Account) is composed as follows:
Balance of the CUFIN
Plus:
- Net taxable profit of the period (UFIN)
Plus:
- Dividends or profits received from other legal entities resident in Mexico
Plus:
- Income, dividends, or profits subject to preferential tax regimes (Article 177, LISR)
Minus:
- Dividends or profits paid
Minus:
- Profits distributed through capital reduction
Equals:
- CUFIN
The CUFIN is adjusted at the end of each fiscal year, taking into account the period from the last update to the final month of the relevant fiscal year. If dividends or profits are distributed or received after this adjustment, a new update will be made, covering the period from the last modification month to the month in which the dividends or profits are actually distributed or received.
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