What is a finiquito?
The finiquito is the payment your employer must make when the employment relationship ends, for example when you resign or a contract expires. It covers the benefits you have already earned and have not been paid.
What does it include?
- Unpaid salary: days worked that have not been paid yet.
- Proportional aguinaldo: at least 15 days of salary per year, in proportion to the days you worked.
- Proportional vacation: under the current Federal Labor Law table (2023 reform), starting at 12 days in the first year.
- Vacation premium: at least 25% on the vacation days paid.
Finiquito vs. liquidación
The finiquito applies when you resign. If you were dismissed without just cause you are owed additional severance: use the wrongful dismissal calculator.
How it is calculated
Daily salary = monthly salary / 30. Aguinaldo = daily salary x aguinaldo days x (days worked in the year / 365). Vacation = table days x (days in the service year / 365), minus days already taken. Vacation premium = vacation pay x 25%.
Worked example
Someone earning MXN 15,000 per month who started on March 15, 2023 and resigns on November 4, 2026 (no unpaid days and no vacation taken) would receive roughly:
| Daily salary | $500.00 |
| Proportional aguinaldo (308 days) | $6,328.77 |
| Proportional vacation (11.6 days) | $5,794.52 |
| Vacation premium | $1,448.63 |
| Approximate total | $13,571.92 |
|---|
What if you are not paid?
- Ask for your payment in writing and keep the receipt, your contract and your payslips.
- PROFEDET provides free legal advice to workers.
- Before filing a lawsuit, the law requires going through the Labor Conciliation Center (federal or state).
- Do not wait: most claims expire after one year.
Frequently asked questions
How long does my employer have to pay the finiquito?
The law does not set one fixed deadline, but it must be paid when the relationship ends. If it is not, you can go to the Labor Conciliation Center or PROFEDET. The claim expires after one year.
Is the finiquito taxed?
Aguinaldo and vacation premium have an exempt portion; the rest may be subject to income tax (ISR). Ask an accountant about your case.
Do I get aguinaldo if I quit before December?
Yes, the portion for the days you worked that year.
How many vacation days am I entitled to?
Since 2023: 12 days in the first year, 14 in the second, 16 in the third, 18 in the fourth and 20 in the fifth, then 2 more days every five years.
Is this result official?
No. It is an informational estimate. For a final figure check the Federal Labor Law, PROFEDET or a labor lawyer.
How is severance pay calculated in Mexico?
Add unpaid salary, proportional aguinaldo, proportional vacation and the vacation premium.
Is finiquito the same as liquidación?
No. Finiquito applies when you resign; liquidación adds an indemnity for wrongful dismissal.