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  • Residence and basis for taxation

    In Argentina coexist 3 levels of taxation: federal, provincial (state) and municipal level.

    An entity is deemed resident for tax purposes when it is incorporated in Argentina under the laws of Argentina. An Argentine individual is considered a tax resident unless they lose their tax residence status by choice, obtain legal residence in other country or by fact, when the individual is outside the country for at least a 12-month period, with certain exemptions.

    Domestic

    Local entities and resident individuals are subject to income tax on domestic and foreign source income.

    Foreign

    Non-resident entities or individuals are taxed on income of Argentine source. The tax applicable is the income tax that comprises corporate earnings and capital gains. In general, a local resident paying to a foreign entity or individual is obliged to withhold income tax. The withholding rate varies in connection with the type of payment. 

    Permanent establishments are taxed as local entities on income attributable to the permanent establishment.

    Income tax on indirect transfer

    Income tax on an indirect transfer may apply if a non-resident entity is transferred provided that at least 30 percent of value of the entity is represented by assets located in Argentina and provided that the transferor owns at least 10 percent of the capital of such entity.

  • Taxable income

    Domestic

    In general, the taxable income in the income tax for resident entities and resident individuals is equal to gross earnings minus deductions. In general, all expenses incurred to obtain, maintain and preserve taxable income are deductible unless expressly forbidden.

    Foreign

    Non-resident entities and individuals are taxed on income of Argentine source by way of income tax. The local resident paying to a foreign entity or individual is obliged to withhold the income tax at a 35-percent (or 15-percent for some gains as capital gains) tax rate applied on a presumption of taxable income that varies in connection with the concept by which the payment is made. The presumption of taxable income can be from 35 percent up to 100 percent of the amounts paid.

    For incomes connected to the transfer of shares, bonds or titles, or incomes connected with the rental of real estate or the transfer of assets located in Argentina owned by a non-resident, the non-resident individual or entity is entitled to choose to apply the presumption of income or to present evidence of all the expenses incurred and deduct those expenses from the gross amount to be paid.

  • Tax rates

    Domestic

    Local entities are subject to an income tax rate of 30 percent for the fiscal year 2020 and 25 percent as of the fiscal year 2021.

    In general, local individuals are taxed at a progressive tax rate that goes from 5 percent to 35 percent, except for earnings with a fixed tax rate. Those are the following:

    • For local individuals, the transfer of sovereign bonds or any title is taxed at a 5-percent income tax rate if the title is issued in Argentine pesos, or 15-percent income tax rate if a share of a corporation is transferred, or if the title or sovereign bond is issued in Argentine pesos with an adjustment clause or in foreign currency except an exemption results applicable.
    • The transfer of real estate by a local individual is taxed at a rate of 1 percent of income tax.  

    Foreign

    In general, non-resident entities and individuals are taxed at an income tax rate of 35 percent applied on the presumption of taxable income with effective tax rates of 12.5 percent up to 31.5 percent (see Taxable Incomes). Some concepts are not taxed at the general 35-percent tax rate and are taxed to a specific tax rate.

    • Transfer of sovereign bonds or any title (public or private) is taxed at a 5-percent income tax rate if the title is issued in Argentine pesos, or 15-percent income tax rate if the title is issued in Argentine pesos with adjustment clause, or in foreign currency except an exemption results applicable. The transfer of shares of a local corporation is taxed at a 15-percent income tax rate. This assumes that the foreign beneficiary is in a jurisdiction considered as cooperative for tax purposes. 
    • Dividends paid to a non-resident individual or entity are taxed at a 7-percent tax rate for the fiscal year 2020 and 13 percent as of the fiscal year 2021.
    • The applicable tax rates can be lower if a double taxation treaty is applicable.
  • Tax compliance

    Local entities and individuals are obliged to fill tax returns at the federal, state and municipal level depending on their activities. Tax returns must be filled on a monthly or yearly basis depending on the tax.

    Information regimes are applicable to certain activities. Advance payment regimes are applicable for some taxes.

  • Alternative minimum tax

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

  • Tax holidays, rulings and incentives

    Tax holidays

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

    Tax rulings

    In some cases, taxpayers are entitled to present to the tax authorities a request for a ruling on a specific case. The ruling is binding for the consultant.

    Tax incentives

    There are tax incentives at the federal, state and municipal level which target specific activities, such as renewables and software services and development.

  • Consolidation

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

  • Participation exemption

    Argentina tax legislation does not provide for a participation exemption.

    Dividends paid by a local entity to another local entity are exempt from income tax. Dividends are only taxed when distributed to a local individual or to a foreign entity or individual.

  • Capital gain

    Capital gains are taxed by the income tax.

    Domestic and foreign, see Taxable income and Tax rates.

    Income tax on indirect transfer

    Income tax on indirect transfer may apply if a non-resident entity is transferred provided that at least 30 percent of value of the entity is represented by assets located in Argentina and provided that the transferor owns at least 10 percent of the capital of such entity. When the transfer is carried on intragroup, the income tax on indirect transfer is not applicable.

  • Distributions

    Distributions are taxed as dividends. Regardless of the tax residence of the recipient, dividends are taxed at a 7-percent tax rate for the fiscal year 2020 and 13 percent as of the fiscal year 2021.

    Domestic and foreign, see Taxable income and Tax rates.

  • Loss utilization

    Losses can be carried forward and can be offset with future profits for a 5-year period.

    Losses considered to be of Argentine source can be offset only with profits considered to be of Argentine source. Losses considered to be of foreign source can only be an offset of foreign-source profits.

  • Tax-free reorganizations

    In Argentina, it is possible to carry on an intragroup reorganization with no tax effects. Mergers, spinoffs or partial spinoffs are exempted from income tax, VAT and turnover tax if certain requirements are met.

    Income tax on indirect transfers can also be carried on with no tax costs if it is an intragroup transfer.

  • Anti-deferral rules

    According to CFC rules, the profits of a foreign entity directly or indirectly owned by a local entity or individual should be declared and taxed in the fiscal year of accrual in the following cases:

    • Trusts: When the trust is revocable, when the settlor is also the beneficiary or when the resident individual or entity has full control of the trust
    • When the foreign entity is not considered a tax resident of the jurisdiction where it is incorporated
    • When:
      • The local individual or entity directly or indirectly owns at least 50 percent of the capital of the foreign entity
      • The foreign entity does not have sufficient structure to carry on its business or when at least 50 percent of the profits of the foreign entity are passive income
      • The taxes paid by the foreign entity in the country where it is incorporated are less than the 25 percent of the income tax that would be payable in Argentina (this requirement is deemed as occurred if the entity is incorporated in a non-cooperative jurisdiction).
  • Foreign tax credits

    Subject to conditions and limitations, foreign tax credits are available for foreign income taxes paid.

  • Special rules applicable to real property

    Domestic and foreign

    When a local entity or a non-resident individual or entity sells or transfers real estate property located in Argentina, income tax is triggered.

    For resident individuals, if the real estate property that is being transferred has been acquired by the seller before January 1, 2018, no income tax is applicable, and the local individual must pay a special tax on transfer of real estate property.

    There is the possibility of a tax deferral on the income tax applicable to the sale of a real estate property using a sale and replacement mechanism.

  • Transfer pricing

    Argentine transfer pricing rules apply to transactions between an Argentine party and a foreign related entity or any entity domiciled in a tax haven jurisdiction, a jurisdiction considered as non-cooperative, or that is subject to a privileged tax regime.

    Argentine transfer pricing rules follow arm's-length rule and follow the OECD guidelines with some divergences.

  • Withholding tax

    (see Taxable income and Tax rates.)

    Domestic

    Payments made by banks and financial institutions to local entities or individuals in the case of interests on bank deposits or financial investments are subject to income tax withholding.

    Dividends paid by a local entity to a local individual are subject to income tax withholding. The tax rate applicable is 7 percent for the fiscal year 2020 and 13 percent as of FY 2021.

    Foreign

    Non-resident entities or individuals are taxed on their income considered to be of Argentine source.

    The local payer is obliged to withhold the income tax at the time of the payment. Tax rates and presumptions of taxable income vary in connection with the type of payment made.

    Tax treaties may reduce or eliminate withholding of income tax.

  • Capital duty, stamp duty and transfer tax

    Capital gains are taxed by the income tax (see Taxable income and Tax rates.).

    Stamp duty or stamp tax is a provincial tax triggered by the entering of written agreements signed by both parties. The tax rate applicable varies in connection with the province and in connection with the agreement. Tax rates are of 0.2 percent up to 5 percent of the total amount of the agreement.

    There are legal mechanisms to avoid the payment of stamp tax by entering into an agreement as an offering letter.

    Transfers of shares, assets and real estate property are taxed under the income tax (see Taxable income and Tax rates.).

  • Employment taxes

    Employers must withhold income tax and social security contributions. Employers also must pay their share of social security contributions. These taxes are deductible by an employer for Argentine income tax purposes.

  • Other tax considerations

    Provincial taxes - Turnover tax

    Turnover tax or gross income tax is a tax collected by the province. The taxable event is the performance of commercial or industrial activity in the territory of the province. Tax rates can be 0.5 percent up to 6 percent in connection with the activity applied on the gross income. Some activities are charged with higher tax rates, such as online gambling, which is taxed at a 15-percent tax rate in the Province of Buenos Aires.

    In some provinces, turnover tax is also applicable to the import of digital services.

    Every province has its own turnover tax. However, the turnover tax collected by each province is similar, although different tax treatments may be applicable for certain activities.

    Tax benefits

    For some activities, there are special tax benefits at the federal level and provincial level.

    There are tax benefits for an investment in renewable energy, software production and services, investments in capital assets, biodiesel fuel and mining.

    The benefits may include partial or full exemptions, accelerated depreciation and drawback.

    VAT on the import of digital services

    The federal government collects VAT on the importation of digital B2C services. The taxpayer is the local resident unless the service provider has a fixed place in the Argentina. The tax rate is 21 percent.

    PAIS Tax

    The PAIS tax is applicable to the purchase of foreign currency by resident individuals. It is also applicable when a local individual pays for services to a foreign entity using their credit/debit cards. The tax rate is 30 percent, or 8 percent when the service being paid is already taxed with the VAT on digital services.

    Double taxation treaties

    Argentina has signed tax treaties with Germany, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, Spain, Finland, France, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Netherlands, the UK, Russia, Sweden and Switzerland (all in force), and Japan, Luxembourg, Turkey, China, and Qatar (signed but not yet in force).

  • Key contacts
    Augusto Nicolás Mancinelli
    Augusto Nicolás Mancinelli
    Partner DLA Piper (Argentina) [email protected] T +5411 41145500 View bio

Alternative minimum tax

Argentina

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Australia

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Austria

Corporations are subject to a minimum corporate income tax of 5 percent of the statutory minimum capital (GmbH EUR1,750 (5 percent of EUR35,000), GmbHs founded after 2013: reduced to EUR500 in the first 5 years after formation, EUR1.000 for subsequent years, AG EUR3,500 (5 percent of EUR70,000), FlexKap EUR500 (5 percent of EUR10.000). Special provisions apply for banks and insurance companies.

Belgium

Belgian legislation does not provide for alternative minimum tax.

Brazil

Brazilian legislation does not provide for alternative minimum tax. However, the Brazilian tax authorities have announced that new legislation introducing Pillar 2 rules from the OECD will be introduced providing for a minimum 15 percent tax rate for multinational companies operating in Brazil.

Canada

Corporations (non-resident or resident) are not subject to federal alternative minimum tax in Canada. A corporate minimum tax may be imposed at the provincial level.

Chile

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

China

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Colombia

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Finland

Not applicable.

France

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Germany

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Hong Kong, SAR

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Hungary

Companies are required to pay corporate income tax (based on a so-called minimum taxable base) even if they do not make a profit, unless they present their cost structure on an additional form attached to their tax returns.

India

Every domestic corporation is subject to Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) of 15 percent for assessment year 2024–-25 (financial year 2023–24). A corporation pays the greater of its regular tax liability and its MAT tax liability. Foreign corporations may also be subject to MAT. However, companies opting to pay a concessional tax rate of 22 percent or 15 percent, as the case may be, are not required to pay MAT. Every non-corporate taxpayer also is required to pay similarly Alternate Minimum Tax (AMT) of 18.5 percent.

Ireland

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Israel

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Italy

Non-operating companies are subject to a minimum level tax, depending on the assets they own.

Japan

Under Japanese tax law, there are no taxes that are equivalent to the Alternative Minimum Tax. Also, the Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax (QDMTT) is not introduced yet.

Luxembourg

Not applicable for this jurisdiction. However, please see the developments on minimum wealth tax discussed below.

Mexico

Not applicable.

Mozambique

Simplified tax for small taxpayers (ISPC)

The ISPC is a direct tax applicable to natural or legal persons engaged in small-scale agricultural, industrial or commercial activities, including the provision of services, in the national territory. For the purposes of this tax, a small-scale business is one the annual turnover of which is less than or equal to MZN2.5 million (approximately USD38,741.67 at the exchange rate of USD1 = MZN64.53).

Taxpayers who opt for ISPC on their activities of supply of goods and services are no longer subject to VAT, and any income derived from those activities will not be subject to either personal income tax (IRPS) or corporate income tax (IRPC).

ISPC is due for each tax year, which coincides with the calendar year. Applicable rates are as follows: Annual rate of ISPC MZN75,000 (approx. USD1,162.25 at the exchange rate of USD1 = MZN64.53). Alternatively, a 3 percent rate on the turnover may be applied.

For taxpayers who commence business and opt for the first time for the ISPC a reduction of 50 percent of the applicable tax rate in the 1st year of activity is available.

Netherlands

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Norway

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Peru

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Poland

In Poland, legislation establishing a minimum corporate tax went into effect in 2022. This tax, however, will apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2023.

Minimum corporate tax will be levied on any entity subject to CIT (including tax capital groups) that:

  • suffered a loss for a given tax year or
  • whose share of income in revenues (other than capital gains) calculated for tax purposes is less than 2 percent.

The provision will not apply, inter alia, to startups or taxpayers who recorded over a 30-percent decrease in revenues.

Portugal

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Romania

Micro-companies tax

Romanian legal entities that register a cumulative level of their taxable revenues (as listed by the tax legislation) lower than the RON equivalent of EUR1 million in the previous year are subject to a specific micro-companies taxation system. Micro-companies are liable to pay a tax on their turnover of 1 percent for companies having at least one employee on their payroll and 3 percent otherwise.

Entities that operate in the hospitality industry are obliged to apply a specific taxation regime that is based on business capacity and not on the level of the profits derived from their activity.

Casinos are obligated to apply the corporate income tax regime and pay a tax no lower than 5 percent of revenues related to gambling activities.

Russia

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Singapore

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

However, according to the Budget 2023 for Singapore, Singapore plans to implement the Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) Rules (ie, Income Inclusion Rule and Undertaxed Profits Rule) and Domestic Top-up Tax (DTT) from businesses’ financial year starting on or after January 1, 2025. Despite that, the Government of Singapore will continue to monitor the international developments and adjust the implementation timeline as needed if there are delays internationally.

South Africa

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

South Korea

Every domestic corporation is subject to minimum tax. A corporation pays the greater of its regular tax liabilities or its minimum tax liability. Foreign corporations are subject to minimum tax on taxable income that is effectively connected with domestic source income.

Spain

Taxpayers with net turnover exceeding a EUR20 million threshold, or those taxed under a consolidated basis, will be taxed using, in general, a minimum tax quota of 15 percent of the taxable base.

Sweden

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Switzerland

In half of the cantons, instead of corporate income tax, a minimum tax is paid, provided such minimum tax exceeds the corporate income tax otherwise due. There are no minimum taxes on a federal level.

Taiwan, China

According to the Taiwan Income Basic Tax Act, a domestic company or a foreign company with a fixed place of business/permanent establishment or business agent in Taiwan (PE) is subject to a separate alternative minimum tax (AMT) if it earns certain income that is tax exempt or enjoys certain tax incentives and the company’s basic income exceeds TWD600,000. The AMT rate is 12 percent. If the company’s regular income tax is greater than the AMT, no special action is required. If the AMT tax liability is greater than the regular income tax, the company is required to calculate and pay AMT.

Turkey

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Ukraine

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

United Arab Emirates

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

United Kingdom

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

United States

The corporate alternative minimum tax is repealed for tax years beginning after 2017.

Zimbabwe

Presumptive tax is payable as an alternative to normal corporate tax but this option is only available to informal traders and certain categories of self-employed professionals. It is expressed as a fixed sum for each category of informal trader or self-employed professional.