Whether as an entrepreneur, investor or job seeker, it is important to learn how to identify so-called shell companies.
Shell companies are considered one of the main vehicles for corruption in Mexico, according to the definition of Mexicans against corruption and impunity.
How to identify ghost companies?
As defined by this organization and the portal IDC Onlineshell companies or companies are mainly characterized by:
- They are formally constituted legal entities, but they do not carry out any economic or corporate activity. That is, they have no assets or employees, so they are considered shady.
- They can be born as apparently legitimate companies, but later become ghosts, operating as described in the previous point.
- They are created with the aim of carrying out illicit acts and thus obtaining private benefits —generally, but not exclusively— to the detriment of the assets or the public interests of the State.
- When it is created, the partners that make up the company refuse to provide the notary with the necessary documentation and information in accordance with the laws, or even the notary can detect from its formation the commission of illicit acts.
- They carry out at least four types of acts of corruption: tax evasion, embezzlement or embezzlement of resources, collusion or simulation of competition, and money laundering.
- As taxpayers, they simulate operations through the issuance of invoices or digital tax receipts.
- They convince taxpayers that by buying these invoices they will reduce their taxes, in exchange for paying the company a commission, which regularly pays a percentage of the amount of the invoice.
Where to meet these companies in Mexico?
The Tax Administration Service, SAT, since 2014 and to date has made a list of ghost companies, as we saw before, taxpayers that simulate operations through the issuance of invoices or digital tax receipts.
You can check here the list of ghost companies identified by the SAT, it is available to all individuals and legal entities that need to know if they are located in the case of article 69-B of the Federal Tax Code.
Now that you know how to identify ghost companies and in case you have any questions about the types of companies, we share with you the commercial companies in Mexico, their types and characteristics.
Editorial Team The editorial team of EMPRENDEDOR.com, which for more than 27 years has worked to promote entrepreneurship.