The Boleto de Ornato is an annual municipal tax that every resident of Guatemala must pay. The funds go to your municipality for public infrastructure, parks, and urban development. It’s required for many other government procedures — you can’t renew your driver’s license, register a vehicle, or process other tramites without proof of payment.
Quick summary: The Boleto de Ornato costs Q15 to Q150 per year based on your monthly income. It must be paid in January or February. After February 28, a 100% surcharge applies (you pay double). Payment is available at municipal offices, banks, and some online portals.
2026 Rates by Income
| Monthly Income (GTQ) | Annual Boleto de Ornato |
|---|---|
| Up to Q1,000 | Q15 |
| Q1,001 - Q3,000 | Q30 |
| Q3,001 - Q6,000 | Q50 |
| Q6,001 - Q9,000 | Q75 |
| Q9,001 - Q12,000 | Q100 |
| Q12,001 - Q20,000 | Q125 |
| Over Q20,000 | Q150 |
Rates set by Decree 121-96 (Ley del Boleto de Ornato). Check our salary guide for context on typical Guatemalan wages.
Payment Deadline
| Period | Status |
|---|---|
| January 1 - February 28 | On-time payment (normal rate) |
| March 1 onward | Late — 100% surcharge (double the amount) |
Example: If your rate is Q50, paying after February costs Q100.
Where to Pay
In Person
- Municipal office (Municipalidad) of the municipality where you reside
- Banrural branches (most municipalities have an agreement)
- Bank of Guatemala (Banco de Guatemala) branches
- Municipal kiosks set up in January-February in commercial areas
Online (Availability Varies by Municipality)
- Guatemala City: muniguate.com — online payment with credit/debit card
- Mixco: Municipal website portal
- Villa Nueva: Municipal online portal
- Other municipalities: Check your local municipality’s website — many now offer online payment
Requirements
- Valid DPI (original)
- Knowledge of your monthly income bracket
- Previous year’s Boleto de Ornato receipt (optional but speeds up the process)
- Payment in cash or card (depending on location)
For Businesses
Businesses pay a separate municipal license tax (patente de comercio), not the Boleto de Ornato. The ornato is a personal tax for individuals only.
Step-by-Step Process
- Determine your income bracket from the table above
- Go to your municipal office or authorized bank in January-February
- Present your DPI to the cashier
- Pay the corresponding amount
- Receive your Boleto de Ornato receipt — keep this safe, you’ll need it for other tramites
Why You Need It
The Boleto de Ornato receipt is required for:
- Renewing your driver’s license at Maycom
- Vehicle registration and transfers
- Building permits and construction licenses
- Business license renewals
- Some banking procedures
- Municipal government services
- Marriage and civil registry procedures
Without proof of payment, these procedures will be denied.
What the Money Funds
Your Boleto de Ornato payment goes directly to your municipality for:
- Street and sidewalk maintenance
- Parks and public green areas (ornato = beautification)
- Public lighting
- Urban infrastructure improvements
- Municipal services
Tips
- Pay in January to avoid lines — February gets very crowded as the deadline approaches
- Keep the receipt all year — you’ll need it for other tramites, and losing it means requesting a duplicate (Q5-10 fee)
- If you moved municipalities, pay in your current municipality of residence
- The surcharge is automatic on March 1 — there’s no grace period
- Some municipalities set up temporary kiosks in malls and markets during January-February for faster service
- If you’re a foreigner with residency, you’re subject to the ornato
- Municipal employees and retirees may have exemptions — check with your municipality
- You can pay for multiple years at once if you have unpaid years (each with its surcharge)