Mesoamérica Foundation

Under Mexican law, any organization that solicits donations for a benefit, whether it is a silent auction, a raffle or a special-sales event, is obligated to provide receipts that are acceptable to the Secretaria de Hacienda y Credito Publico (SHCP), known as Hacienda.

There is no exception to this rule.

In the course of investigating the activities of “Brazos Abiertos, Inc.” it has been discovered that individuals and organizations that have made material donations have not received receipts consistent with Hacienda requirements.

This constitutes fraud.

Concepcion May, a business executive and activist for the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), is spearheading an effort to protect the interests of the greater Merida community who may have been defrauded.

“There are two courses of action.  The first is to file a complaint with Hacienda, to ensure that the organization soliciting contributions for fundraising activities is in full compliance with Mexican law to engage in such activities,” Ms. May said.  “The second is to report this to the Procudaria Federal del Consumidor [Federal Consumer Protection Agency].”

Ms. May will be doing both.  A preliminary investigation has identified scores of individuals and organizations that have contributed goods and services, on an in kind basis, to Brazos Abiertos. 

NONE HAVE RECEIVED RECEIPTS CONSISTENT WITH HACIENDA REQUIREMENTS. 

EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE IN MEXICO HAVE TO COMPLY WITH MEXICAN LAW, RECEIPTS ACCEPTABLE TO THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS) DO NOT EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS ENGAGED IN SOLICITING DONATIONS IN MEXICO FROM COMPLYING WITH HACIENDA REQUIREMENTS.

“This is a public service appeal to the community to step forward and file a complaint,” Ms. May said.  “All that is required is a simple statement, such as, ‘This is to certify that Galeria XYZ donated a piece of artwork valued at $1,500 pesos to Brazos Abiertos and we never received a receipt acceptable to Hacienda.’  That’s enough to get started.  We will be filing a class-action complaint on behalf of everyone who steps forward.”

To make an appointment to see Concepcion May, please see her at her offices:

Concepcion May

Oficinas Corporativas

Calle 61 #468, Interior, between 52 and 54 Streets

Colonia Centro

Merida, Yucatan

Monday – Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Under Mexican law, this receipt has no value.  Every donation made to a legitimate nonprofit organization or charity MUST be accompanied by a receipt that meets the legal requirements established by Hacienda.  Charitable events that take place in Mexico, must comply fully with Mexican laws governing charitable donations and charitable giving.

Any person or organization that received a receipt from Brazos Abiertos, or a “Certificate of Appreciation,” may have been defrauded under Mexican law.

If you received a document similar to this, please contact Concepcion May, or you can go directly to Hacienda.