Mexican Artists Pay Taxes with Art

Tuesday, 13 April 2010 | by Pat's Picks

I can only imagine what kind of submissions the IRS would receive if this were the case in America: The Arizona Republic says in lieu of paying taxes, Mexican artists can donate a piece of original art to the government. The policy has been around since 1957 and as a result, the country has a “modern art collection that would make most museum curators swoon.” Just like when paying regular taxes, the more you make, the more you owe. For example, artists who produce more that 21 paintings a year must give the government six, selling five pieces means you owe the government just one. Thanks to the program, the Mexico owns “4,248 paintings, sculptures, engravings and photographs by Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, Leonora Carrington and other masters and renowned artists.”