When Mexico's Tax Time Comes, Artists Get Busy with Their Brushes Tim Johnson - McClatchy
go to original July 28, 2014

Artist Teresa Cito, seen sitting in her Mexico City art studio on June 20, 2014, says of Mexico's pay-in-kind program in which artists give their works to the state in lieu of paying taxes: "I admire it very, very, very much." (Tim Johnson-MTC)

MEXICO CITY — When the taxman calls, artist Teresa Cito doesn’t wince. She knows the state isn’t after a single peso. The taxman wants a donation of her artwork.

An unusual program in Mexico allows painters, sculptors and other artists to donate part of their annual production of artwork to the state in lieu of paying taxes. The program, begun in 1957, has helped the government amass a huge collection of contemporary art. It’s also left artists such as Cito content, free from worry about tax forms and audits. “I don’t even have an accountant,” Cito said.

The program is so simple she doesn’t need one. If she sells up to five pieces in one calendar year, she donates one of equal value to the state. If she sells six to eight pieces, she donates two. The sliding scale continues until an artist gives a maximum of six pieces.

Cito, who does colorful oil paintings as well as stark chalk drawings on paper, doesn’t slough off her lesser work to the state. She knows it will be exhibited, perhaps in a government ministry or museum, or a Mexican embassy abroad.

“My priority is to offer a nice piece,” Cito said, praising the program known simply as Payment in Kind. “I admire it very, very, very much. The government says, ‘Pay your taxes in artwork. Keep on painting.’ ”

Hundreds of artists take part, and it’s hard to find one with even the faintest hesitation. Many hail the program as unique in the world.

Read the rest at islandpacket.com

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!