Tax Increase: Soft Drinks, Snacks, and Food Hit Hardest

Just days before the 2026 Economic Package is unveiled, speculation is growing about a possible tax increase on popular consumer products such as soft drinks and some foods.

Currently, there are initiatives in Congress to increase the IEPS (Excise Tax) on products that have already been taxed for years, with the goal of increasing tax revenue .

It's not just soft drinks that are in the spotlight; legislators, mainly from the 4T party, are also considering taxing certain foods, which could impact the economy of millions of Mexicans who consume these products.

Ernestina Godoy, legal advisor to the Presidency, stated during the Morena plenary session that the Economic Package will include modifications that will affect the soft drink industry and customs:

“A lot of lobbying because some important things are coming, especially with the soft drink companies.”

For his part, Representative Ricardo Monreal noted on August 18 that the federal budget is facing restrictions due to new emergencies and spending on social programs, which is being interpreted as a sign of possible tax increases:

"It's a budget that isn't sufficient to meet all these needs."

Although Prime Minister Claudia Sheinbaum has asserted that no new taxes are being considered, several proposals are already circulating in the halls of the Chamber of Deputies that could contradict this position.

The National Alliance of Small Business Owners (ANPEC) warned that the measure would directly affect families and businesses. Its president, Cuauhtémoc Rivera , warned that taxing high-demand products such as soft drinks, beer, snacks, and cigarettes could drive away customers and impact family finances.

“Authorities, this is not the time to create new taxes (…) Taxing high-demand products means dealing a heavy blow to families’ tables,” Rivera said in a video posted on social media.