CETES Simulator in Mexico
Calculate how much you'll really earn investing in CETES, with taxes already deducted. No surprises, no fine print.
🎯 What is this simulator for?
If you're thinking about investing in CETES but don't know how much you'll earn after taxes, this simulator is for you. Most calculators only show the gross return, but here we show the real net gain — what actually reaches your pocket.
You only need three pieces of data: how much you want to invest, for how long, and the current rate. The simulator does the rest.
🏛️ What are CETES?
CETES (Certificados de la Tesorería de la Federación) are debt instruments issued by the Government of Mexico. When you buy CETES, you're essentially lending money to the government, which pays you back with interest at the end of the term.
They're considered the safest investment in Mexico because they're backed by the federal government. There's no risk of losing your money (except in an extreme sovereign default situation, which is very unlikely).
Maximum safety
Backed by the Federal Government of Mexico
From $100 MXN
Minimum investment accessible to anyone
Flexible terms
28, 91, 182 or 364 days based on your needs
100% online
Buy through CetesDirecto without leaving home
⚙️ How do CETES work?
The mechanism is simpler than it seems. CETES are purchased at a discounted price and at maturity you receive the full value ($10 MXN per unit). The difference between what you paid and the $10 is your gain.
📝 Simple example
Suppose the rate is 10.50% per year and you buy CETES for 91 days:
Each unit is purchased at $9.74 MXN and at maturity you receive $10.00 MXN.
If you invest $10,000 MXN, you buy approximately 1,027 units and at the end receive ≈ $10,262 MXN gross
📆 Available terms
CETES are auctioned weekly and you can choose from four terms. Each has its advantages depending on your financial goals:
| Term | Duration | Ideal for | Liquidity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 days | ~1 month | Emergency fund or money you need soon | ⭐ Very high |
| 91 days | ~3 months | Short-term savings, better return than 28d | ⭐ High |
| 182 days | ~6 months | Medium-term goals (trip, purchase) | Medium |
| 364 days | ~1 year | Maximize return, long-term savings | Low |
🧾 How much is withheld in taxes?
This is the topic that confuses beginners the most. When you earn interest with CETES, the government automatically withholds taxes. You don't have to do anything, but it's worth understanding how it works:
| Concept | Percentage | Applied on |
|---|---|---|
| Provisional ISR withholding | 0.15% | On the invested capital (total amount) |
| ISR on interest | ~30% | On the gain (interest earned) |
Our simulator already includes both deductions so you can see the real net gain — what you actually receive after taxes.
🧭 How to use the simulator?
You only need 30 seconds and three pieces of data:
Enter your amount
How much money do you want to invest? You can start from $100 MXN. Enter the amount in Mexican pesos.
Choose the term
Select between 28, 91, 182, or 364 days. Generally, the longer the term, the higher the return.
Enter the gross annual rate
Check the current rate on CetesDirecto or Banxico. Change it to simulate different scenarios.
📝 Example with the simulator
Amount: $50,000 MXN · Term: 182 days · Rate: 10.50%
Gross gain: $2,654 MXN
ISR withheld: -$871 MXN
Net gain: $1,783 MXN
Your money would grow from $50,000 to $51,783 MXN in 6 months, without doing absolutely anything.
⚡ Simulate your investment now
Enter your details and get the result instantly.
🇲🇽 CETES Simulator
⚔️ CETES vs other options
How do CETES compare to other ways of saving or investing in Mexico? Here's a quick comparison:
| Option | Approx. return | Risk | Liquidity |
|---|---|---|---|
| CETES | ~10–11% per year | Very low | High |
| Savings account | ~2–5% per year | None | Immediate |
| Bank promissory note | ~7–9% per year | Very low | Low |
| SOFIPOS | ~12–15% per year | Low–Medium | Medium |
| Stock market | Variable | High | High |
❓ Frequently asked questions
You can start with as little as $100 MXN through the official platform CetesDirecto (cetesdirecto.com). No broker or intermediary needed — it's a federal government platform.
In practice, no. CETES are backed by the Mexican Government. The only way to lose would be if the government defaulted, something that hasn't happened since 1982 and is extremely unlikely.
Yes, you can sell your CETES before maturity on the secondary market through CetesDirecto. However, the price may vary and you could receive slightly more or less than expected. Ideally, wait until maturity to receive the full return.
Rates are updated every week at the Banxico auction. You can check them at cetesdirecto.com or on the Banco de México website. The rate varies depending on the term and market conditions.
If your annual interest exceeds $100,000 MXN, you are required to file an annual tax return. CetesDirecto automatically generates your tax certificate. If you don't exceed that amount, the provisional withholding is generally final.
They are approximate. The simulator uses a simplified formula with 30% ISR on interest + 0.15% on capital. Actual amounts may vary slightly depending on the exact auction rate, business days, and current tax regulations.
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