What is a CFDI and do you need one?
CFDI (Comprobante Fiscal Digital por Internet) is Mexico's official electronic invoice system, managed by the SAT (Servicio de Administración Tributaria). Since 2014, all formal business transactions in Mexico must use CFDI for tax purposes.
When you need a CFDI:
- When your client needs to deduct the expense from their corporate taxes
- When you are a registered Mexican taxpayer (persona física or moral)
- For transactions above 2,000 MXN with business clients
- When operating as a formal Mexican business entity
When a PDF invoice is sufficient:
- Informal services between individuals
- International clients who don't need Mexican tax deductions
- Reference documents, estimates, and proformas
- Foreign freelancers providing services to Mexican companies (from abroad)
💡 FacturaPDF generates professional PDF invoices with all CFDI-compatible fields (RFC, IVA 16%, consecutive numbering, payment method). For official CFDI generation with SAT digital seal, you need a PAC (Proveedor Autorizado de Certificación).
RFC Numbers — Complete Guide
The RFC (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes) is Mexico's tax ID. It has two formats:
- Individuals (Persona Física): 13 characters — 4 letters + 6-digit date of birth + 3 alphanumeric verification digits. Example: GAMA850101ABC
- Companies (Persona Moral): 12 characters — 3 letters + 6-digit registration date + 3 alphanumeric digits. Example: SAT970701NN3
Both issuer and recipient RFC numbers are required on CFDI 4.0 invoices. In FacturaPDF, enter them in the dedicated RFC/NIF/RUT fields for both parties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CFDI?+
A CFDI (Comprobante Fiscal Digital por Internet) is Mexico's official electronic tax invoice, required by SAT for formal fiscal transactions. It contains a digital seal (sello digital), a SAT certification stamp, and a unique UUID code that validates its authenticity. CFDIs must be generated through SAT's portal or a certified PAC (Authorized Certification Provider).
Is FacturaPDF a CFDI generator?+
No. FacturaPDF generates professional PDF invoices suitable for informal service receipts, estimates and international invoicing. For official CFDI invoices that Mexican companies can deduct from taxes, you need the SAT's portal or a PAC like Facturama, CONTPAQ or similar.
Can I use FacturaPDF for freelance work in Mexico?+
Yes, for clients who don't require a formal CFDI — such as foreign companies, individual clients, or informal service agreements. For Mexican business clients who need to deduct the expense from taxes, they'll require a proper CFDI from a SAT-certified system.
What are the main CFDI 4.0 changes?+
CFDI 4.0, mandatory since 2022, requires: the recipient's full name matching exactly their SAT registration, the recipient's RFC and postal code, the tax regime of both parties, and the intended use of the invoice (uso CFDI). These stricter validation requirements mean both parties must have correct SAT information.