Ensenada’s city council approved a tax amnesty campaign that forgives penalties and surcharges by up to 100%, giving property owners and drivers a window to clear outstanding debts at steep discounts. The program launched on Tuesday, April 28 and runs through July 31, 2026.
Mayor Claudia Agatón Muñiz presented the initiative as a way to support household finances and encourage delinquent taxpayers to settle their accounts. The Municipal Finance and Patrimony Commission drafted the plan, which the full council then approved.
What the Discounts Cover
The forgiveness applies across several categories of municipal taxes, fines, and fees. The headline benefit is a 100% forgiveness on property tax surcharges, meaning residents who owe back predial can pay the principal amount without any late fees. Installment payment plans that had been granted extensions also receive 100% forgiveness on surcharges.
Alcohol permit renewals get a 70% discount on penalties. Advertising and signage penalties are reduced by 80%. Traffic fines receive a 50% discount, with one major exception: DUI fines are explicitly excluded from the amnesty and must be paid in full.
Discounts Shrink Over Time
The best deals are available now. Discounts drop by 10 percentage points in June and another 10 points in July. That means the 100% property tax surcharge forgiveness in April and May becomes 90% in June and 80% in July. The same sliding scale applies to all categories, so residents who act before the end of May will save the most.
For property owners who have let predial bills pile up over several years, this is a chance to wipe out accumulated surcharges entirely. In Ensenada, annual predial bills for a typical home can range from around 2,000 to 8,000 pesos (roughly $110 to $440 USD), but surcharges on years of unpaid taxes can sometimes exceed the original amount owed.
Where to Pay
The municipal government has not yet announced whether payments can be made online or only at city offices. Residents should check the Ensenada city government website at ensenada.gob.mx for updated details on payment locations and requirements. Those with outstanding traffic tickets, overdue property taxes, or lapsed permits should bring documentation of the original debt.
This story was first reported by Jornada BC.