FREE Online Mexican RFC Calculator Tool for Individuals & Companies

What is a Mexican RFC?

The RFC (Federal Taxpayer Registry) is the tax identification number in Mexico. Tracking the financial activities of individuals and companies in economic transactions is essential, and calculating the RFC facilitates this process. It allows taxpayers to file income tax, VAT, and corporate tax returns. It also allows them to issue electronic invoices and obtain digital signatures and seals for official processes. The RFC is required to open bank accounts, apply for loans, and process payrolls.

The Mexican government uses the RFC (Tax Identification Number) to identify each taxpayer, helping prevent fraud and ensure tax compliance. This system allows for better financial tracking, reduces tax evasion, and increases transparency. Calculating the RFC simplifies tax reporting and ensures accurate identification, helping businesses and individuals comply with the law. Furthermore, calculating the RFC improves efficient and transparent tax collection.

The Importance of Calculating RFC in Mexico

Calculating your RFC (Federal Taxpayer Registry) is essential if you're generating income or running a business in Mexico. This tax identification number is required to file taxes, issue electronic invoices (CFDI), and access financial services such as bank accounts and loans. For individuals, it's essential for filing taxes, receiving payments from employers, and complying with various official processes.

For businesses, it's key to manage legal tasks such as paying salaries, signing contracts, and complying with tax laws. Additionally, calculating the RFC helps the government track financial activity, reduce fraud, and ensure transparency, making it a fundamental part of doing business or managing finances in Mexico.

The RFC calculation process is designed to create a unique tax identification number for both individuals and businesses in Mexico. It ensures that every taxpayer is represented in the tax system. It allows the government to track transactions and enforce compliance. Although the steps differ slightly for individuals and businesses, both follow a structured format using personal or business information and a specific method to generate the RFC.

RFC Calculator

Individual Details

Paternal Surname:

Maternal Surname:

First Name(s):

Date of Birth:

Company Details

Company Name:

Date of Incorporation:

Your Calculated RFC:

Note: This is a calculated RFC including a simulated homoclave. The official homoclave is generated by SAT through a complex algorithm. Always verify your RFC with official SAT tools.

To confirm the validity of the RFC, please visit the SAT website.

Examples & Demo Data

Use these examples to see how the calculator works or to test the format:

How it is Calculated

For Individuals

For individuals, the RFC is based on personal data: paternal surname, maternal surname, first name, and date of birth. The calculation follows this structure:

Individual RFC format: 13 characters: xxxx-aaaa-zzz

x: First letter of the paternal surname.
x: First internal vowel of the paternal surname (the first vowel *after* the first letter).
x: First letter of the maternal surname. (If no maternal surname, 'X').
x: First letter of the first name. (Compound names like "JOSE LUIS" use the first letter of the first name, 'J').
yy: Last two digits of the year of birth.
yy: Two digits of the month of birth (padded with leading zero if needed).
yy: Two digits of the date of birth (padded with leading zero if needed).
zzz: Simulated alphanumeric characters (Homoclave) - added to ensure uniqueness.

Example: For Juan Pérez López, born March 15, 1985

Paternal Surname "Pérez": First letter 'P', First internal vowel 'E' -> PE
Maternal Surname "López": First letter 'L' -> PEL
First Name "Juan": First letter 'J' -> PELJ
Date March 15, 1985: Year '85', Month '03', Day '15' -> 850315
Partial RFC: PELJ850315
Homoclave: + zzz (e.g., XYZ)
Full RFC Example: PELJ850315XYZ

For Companies

The RFC for companies is calculated from the company name and the date of incorporation.

Enterprise RFC Format: 12 characters: xxx-yyyy-zzz

x: First three letters of the company name. Common legal suffixes (like S.A., S. de R.L. de C.V., etc.) are generally ignored for this part of the calculation (our simple tool removes some).
yy: Last two digits of the year of incorporation.
yy: Two digits of the month of incorporation (padded with leading zero if needed).
yy: Two digits for the day of incorporation (padded with leading zero if needed).
zzz: Simulated alphanumeric characters (Homoclave) - added to ensure uniqueness.

Example: For "EMPRESA EJEMPLO SA DE CV", incorporated July 20, 2010

Company Name "EMPRESA EJEMPLO SA DE CV": Cleaned (removing SA DE CV) -> "EMPRESA EJEMPLO". First three letters 'EMP'.
Date July 20, 2010: Year '10', Month '07', Day '20' -> 100720
Partial RFC: EMP100720
Homoclave: + zzz (e.g., ABC)
Full RFC Example: EMP100720ABC

Calculation Algorithm (Simplified)

An algorithm generates the RFC by combining letters from names/company name and numbers from dates to create a unique identifier. The homoclave is intended to prevent errors and duplications.

Note: The exact official SAT homoclave algorithm is complex and not publicly disclosed. Our tool uses a simplified, simulated method for the homoclave based on the input data. The resulting RFC should be treated as an estimate and verified with official SAT tools.

Verification Process

Once the RFC has been generated, its accuracy must be verified. The SAT has online tools to verify whether an RFC matches the information. Individuals and legal entities can use them. This step is vital. It prevents errors and ensures that the RFC is valid for tax returns, invoices, or other legal uses.

To confirm the validity of the RFC, please visit the SAT website.

Requirements to Obtain the RFC

To obtain your RFC in Mexico, whether as an individual or a legal entity, you generally need to pre-register online via the SAT portal and then schedule an appointment to finalize the process in person at a SAT office. The specific required documents can vary but typically include:

Official identification (e.g., INE/IFE, passport).
Proof of address (utility bill, property tax receipt).
Birth certificate (for individuals).
CURP (Clave Única de Registro de Población) - mandatory for Mexicans and residents.
Power of attorney (if applicable, for legal representatives).
Constitutive act of the company (for legal entities).
Proof of the company's address (for legal entities).

It's advisable to check the official SAT website for the most current and complete list of requirements based on your specific situation.

How long does RFC approval take?

If you complete the pre-registration online and attend your scheduled appointment at a SAT office with all the required documents, the RFC is typically assigned and approved immediately during your visit. You will receive your RFC certificate and a physical copy of your tax ID card on the spot. The entire process, once you have an appointment, is usually finalized within the same day at the SAT office.