Argentina’s national tax framework includes a variety of direct and indirect taxes applicable to individuals and corporations. The government agency responsible for implementing national taxes is the Tax Collection and Customs Control Agency (ARCA).
Among the direct taxes, two of the most significant are the Income Tax, which applies to income earned by individuals and corporations and the Personal Wealth Tax, which applies to the net assets of individuals.
The most important indirect taxes include the Value-Added Tax (VAT), levied on the sale of goods and services and the Export Tax, applied to exported goods and services.
This direct tax is levied on corporate profits and is calculated based on the net income of legal entities.
Resident corporations are subject to tax on income earned both in Argentina and abroad. Resident entities can claim as a tax credit any similar tax paid abroad on foreign-sourced income. The applicable tax rate is based on worldwide net income.
Corporations are taxed according to the AFIP RG 5168/22 scale for their taxable net income.
VAT is generally 21%, although specific items may be subject to a higher rate of 27% or a reduced rate of 10.5%. The tax applies to the sale value of products, most services, and the importation of goods and services. It is paid through monthly tax filings.
The 27% rate applies to public utilities such as domestic gas, water, and telecommunications, while the 10.5% rate applies to certain transactions.
For 2023, import duties range from 0% to 35%. Higher duties typically apply to agricultural products, manufactured goods, and luxury items.
To calculate specific rates, goods must be classified using the Mercosur Common External Tariff (CET) system.
Excise taxes are levied on non-essential goods such as tobacco, alcohol, alcoholic beverages, certain fuels, and luxury goods.
Access the full product list under Law No. 24,674:
Los movimientos de cuentas bancarias (depósitos y retiros) están sujetos a un impuesto nacional.
Resident legal entities in Argentina are subject to income tax on both Argentine-sourced and foreign-sourced income. Resident legal entities may claim as a tax credit any similar taxes effectively paid abroad on foreign-sourced income. The tax rate applies to net income determined on a global basis.
33% of the financial transactions tax effectively paid on bank account operations (0.6%) and fund movements (1.2%) is creditable against income tax (ISR), minimum presumed income tax, and/or corresponding tax prepayments.
This annual tax applies to shares or equity held in local companies by individuals or entities domiciled in Argentina or abroad. It is assessed and paid directly by the local corporation as a final payment on behalf of the shareholders (the issuing corporation has the right to recover the tax from the shareholder).
Under recent tax reforms, the applicable tax rate has increased to 0.5% (previously 0.25%) and is calculated based on the value of the shareholding, typically determined as the difference between assets and liabilities in financial statements as of December 31 or the fiscal year-end.
According to Argentine legislation, both foreign and local nationals working for a local company must be included on the local payroll and will be considered local employees for labor, tax, and social security purposes. Both the local company and the employees are subject to the applicable regulations.
All compensation paid in Argentina or abroad for work performed for the local company is considered local remuneration and must be reported to the tax and social security authorities as required. It must also be included in payroll records.
The local employer is required to withhold income tax on a real and monthly basis and make the corresponding payments to tax authorities through monthly WHT filings. Individual income tax rates range from 5% to 35%, with personal deductions available.
The local entity must issue monthly payroll statements for each employee on its payroll, accounting for the total compensation mentioned above.
Employer contributions to social security add 24% to 26.4% to payroll costs. A 13th-month salary is mandatory. There are no restrictions on employing foreign workers, provided they have valid work visas.
Argentine labor regulations determine various forms of employee compensation, which include:
Each Argentine jurisdiction imposes a turnover tax on the sale of goods and services. Exports of goods are exempt, and certain industries are subject to reduced rates. Rates, rules, and assessment procedures are determined locally.
In Córdoba, rates are regulated annually based on the Annual Tax Law. On average, the rates applied to commerce and services range between 3% and 5%. For industry, the rates are generally lower, ranging between 0% and 2%.
This provincial tax applies to acts, contracts, instruments, and economic transactions executed in Córdoba or those performed elsewhere that create effects in the province.
The average rate is 1%, applied to the contract's economic value.
