What is your Tax ID in Mexico? – RFC number

By Easyco Updated October 19, 2026

Every company in Mexico needs a tax ID, the RFC (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes). Without it, a company cannot issue electronic invoices, open a bank account or pay its staff. Here is how the RFC works for a new company in 2026.

What is the RFC number?

The RFC is the taxpayer code issued by Mexico’s tax authority. A company’s RFC has 12 characters: three letters from its name, its date of incorporation (YYMMDD) and a three-character check code. Individuals have a 13-character RFC.

What government agency provides the RFC number?

The RFC is issued by the SAT (Servicio de Administración Tributaria), the federal tax administration.

When is the RFC number provided?

The company is registered with the RFC once its deed of incorporation is signed before a notary. In most cases the notary registers it through the SAT’s system at the time of incorporation. The company’s legal representative then books an appointment with the SAT to obtain the company’s e.firma, the advanced electronic signature used for tax filings and invoicing.

What documentation is required to activate the company RFC number?

The notarized deed of incorporation
The legal representative’s ID and power of attorney, plus the representative’s own RFC
Proof of the company’s tax address (domicilio fiscal)
A valid email address and phone number for the SAT’s tax mailbox (buzón tributario)

The SAT then issues the tax status certificate (constancia de situación fiscal), which banks and clients ask for.

Can foreigners get an RFC?

Yes. Foreign shareholders do not need their own Mexican RFC to own a company, but the legal representative who deals with the SAT needs one, and the SAT usually requires that person to attend the e.firma appointment in person. That is why many foreign-owned companies appoint a representative who lives in Mexico.

After the RFC

With the RFC and e.firma in place, the company can issue CFDI electronic invoices, register with the IMSS if it hires, and open a corporate bank account. It must then file monthly and annual returns; see tax and accounting in Mexico.

Get help from Easyco

Easyco coordinates the company setup in Mexico up to the issue of the RFC, and supports companies afterwards with tax, accounting, payroll and company compliance, including a registered office address. Read how to set up a company in Mexico, or contact us to discuss your project.