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Business Permits & Incorporation for Foreigners in Buenos Aires

Good to know

Good to Know

  • The SAS is the go-to structure for solo foreign founders because it allows a single shareholder and can be registered online in days, but some law firms note its regulatory treatment has fluctuated and that SRL or SA may be viewed as more predictable by banks and for regulated activity — worth a quick check on current IGJ policy before committing.
  • A monthly accountant (contador) is considered essential, not optional — Argentina's tax filing calendar is strict and penalties for missed filings are common.
  • You do not need to travel to Argentina to incorporate — documents can typically be signed via power of attorney with an apostille, though opening a bank account with a traditional bank may still require an in-person visit.
  • Argentina has foreign exchange controls (the 'cepo cambiario') that can affect profit repatriation; confirm current FX rules before assuming dividends can be freely converted and sent abroad.
  • Peso-denominated costs and minimum-capital figures move quickly with inflation, so treat the ARS numbers here as a snapshot and reconfirm current amounts at the time of filing.
  • Argentina's corporate tax is progressive (25% / 30% / 35%) rather than the old flat 35% rate, with the income thresholds re-indexed for inflation each year — so always check the current-year threshold rather than relying on last year's numbers.
  • A locally incorporated company (SA, SRL, SAS, SAU) is taxed on worldwide income, while a foreign company operating through a registered branch (without local incorporation) is taxed only on its Argentine-source income — this is a real structural trade-off, not just paperwork.
  • Dividends and branch-profit remittances face an extra 7% withholding on top of corporate tax, so the effective tax on money actually taken out of the business is meaningfully higher than the headline corporate rate.
  • Monotributo is genuinely the simplest path for a solo freelancer under the income caps — it bundles tax, VAT and social security into one fixed payment — but it caps your legal revenue, doesn't let you sponsor foreign staff, and leaves you personally liable for business debts.
  • The SAS is popular with foreign founders for its fast, largely online setup, but some banks and larger counterparties still find an SRL or SA more familiar/credible for long-term operations — factor that into which structure you pick, not just formation speed.
  • Argentine peso figures for income tax, Monotributo and other thresholds are inflation-adjusted periodically; treat any ARS figure as a snapshot that will need re-checking, and expect professional accounting help to be close to essential given how frequently rules and thresholds shift.
  • Buenos Aires City (CABA) businesses typically also owe a separate provincial/city-level gross-receipts tax (Ingresos Brutos) in addition to national corporate tax and VAT — get a local accountant to quote the specific rate for your activity rather than assuming a single blended tax rate.

Corporate Income Tax

Structure
Progressive/tiered, inflation-indexed brackets for fiscal years beginning on or after 1 January 2026
Regime Name
Impuesto a las Ganancias (corporate income tax)
Residence Basis
A company is treated as an Argentine tax resident if it is legally incorporated in the country (includes SA, SRL, SAS, SAU and branches of foreign entities established under Argentine law). Resident entities are taxed on worldwide net income; a foreign tax credit is available for similar taxes paid abroad.
Advance Payments
Companies must make monthly advance income tax payments during the fiscal year, trued up on the annual return.
Non Resident Branch Note
A branch of a foreign company operating in Argentina without local incorporation is taxed only on its Argentine-source income, at the same tiered rates as resident companies, and may need to appoint a local tax representative.

Brackets

  • Taxable income from ARS 0 up to threshold 1
    Rate Percent
    25
    Threshold Upper
    ARS 133,514,186
  • Taxable income above threshold 1 up to threshold 2
    Rate Percent
    30
    Fixed Amount Plus Rate
    ARS 33,378,546.43 plus 30% of the excess over threshold 1
    Threshold Upper
    ARS 1,335,141,857
  • Taxable income above threshold 2
    Rate Percent
    35
    Fixed Amount Plus Rate
    ARS 393,866,847.93 plus 35% of the excess over threshold 2

Freelancer Sole Proprietor Vs Company

Sa And Sau

Overview
The Sociedad Anónima (SA) is the most formal structure, suited to larger enterprises, regulated industries, or where share transferability and institutional credibility matter (e.g. banking relationships). The SAU is a single-shareholder version of the SA, useful for a wholly foreign-owned subsidiary.
Governance
More complex governance (board, statutory auditor/sindicatura in some cases) but greater credibility for banks, regulators, and institutional investors.
Requirements
Must be incorporated by public instrument; directors of an SA/SAU must post a surety bond (seguro de caución); the SAU is subject to permanent state supervision under Article 299 of the General Companies Law and its capital must be fully paid in at incorporation.

Monotributo

Liability
Unlimited personal liability — there is no separate legal entity shielding personal assets.
What It Is
Argentina's simplified regime for small taxpayers and freelancers that bundles income tax, VAT and social security/pension contributions into one fixed periodic payment, avoiding the need to form a separate legal entity.
VAT Treatment
VAT is folded into the fixed Monotributo payment and does not need to be filed separately.
Who Can Use It
Foreign nationals can register for Monotributo, but need a CUIT and generally a DNI or a passport plus proof of a residency application in progress.
Practical Limit
A Monotributista cannot sponsor foreign employees or issue immigration invitation letters for staff — that requires an incorporated company.
Recategorization
Monotributistas must review their trailing-12-month activity twice a year (before 5 February and 5 August) since caps and categories are periodically adjusted for inflation.

Eligibility Caps 2025

  • Service Providers
    Annual Gross Income Cap
    ARS 53,298,417
  • Goods Sellers
    Annual Gross Income Cap
    ARS 82,370,281

Autonomo General Regime

Filing
Annual income tax return plus periodic advance payments; still simpler than running a corporate entity but with more paperwork than Monotributo.
What It Is
The general self-employment tax regime for those who exceed Monotributo thresholds or opt out voluntarily.
Obligations
Progressive income tax on net profits, separate monthly VAT filings at 21%, and social security contributions calculated on a presumed income scale.

SAS Simplified Shares Company

Overview
Introduced in 2017, the SAS is a fast, largely online-registered entity type and has become a common choice for foreign entrepreneurs and small tech/startup businesses.
Liability
Limited liability, separate legal personality.
Formation Speed
Registration can in some jurisdictions be completed within roughly 24 hours, though timelines vary.
Shareholder Structure
Can be formed with a single shareholder (individual or entity).
Caveat For Larger Operations
For foreign investors planning regulated activity, larger cross-border contracting, or heavier banking scrutiny, legal advisors generally recommend evaluating an SRL or SA first — the SAS is not always the default recommendation for a substantial foreign-owned subsidiary.

SRL Limited Liability Company

Process
Requires notarized bylaws/public deed in many cases, registration with the Public Registry of Commerce / IGJ (Inspección General de Justicia) in Buenos Aires, and CUIT registration with AFIP/ARCA.
Overview
A traditional limited liability entity requiring 2 to 50 partners (quotaholders); often used for closely held SMEs, family businesses, and professional services firms.
Tax Treatment
Taxed as a corporate entity under the same tiered 25/30/35% income tax brackets, plus 21% VAT and the 7% dividend withholding on distributions.
Minimum Capital
ARS 100
Processing Time
Roughly 2-6 weeks.
Formation Cost Estimate
ARS 1,192,000

Low end of typical range

Formation Cost Estimate High
ARS 2,980,000

High end of typical range, including notary and registration fees

Foreign Ownership And Director Rules

Ownership
100% foreign ownership is permitted in SRL, SAS, and SA/SAU structures — there is no local-partner requirement.
Choosing A Structure
The right choice depends on number of partners, revenue expectations, need for liability protection, plans to raise investment, and long-term immigration strategy; changing structures later is possible but adds cost and complexity, so professional tax/legal advice before incorporating is standard practice.
Who Can Act As Director
A foreigner holding a 'precarious residence' permit (issued while a residency application is pending) together with a CUIT or CDI tax ID can act as a partner, shareholder, or legal representative (administrator, manager, or director) of an Argentine company. A definitive DNI is not required to exercise these corporate functions.

Incorporation Process And Requirements

Overview
Foreigners can own up to 100% of an Argentine company with no nationality restrictions on shareholders. There is no general local-partner or sponsor mandate for ownership. The main practical requirement is that a foreign individual must obtain an Argentine tax ID (CUIT or CDI) before signing incorporation documents, and that day-to-day management/local domicile rules apply (see below).

Typical Costs

SRL Sa Costs
SRL and SA incorporation costs are generally higher than an SAS due to mandatory notarization (public deed), registry publication requirements, and (for an SA) a statutory auditor process; exact peso figures vary by law firm and are best quoted directly given ongoing inflation.
SAS Minimum Capital
ARS 735,600

Minimum capital for an SAS is pegged to two monthly minimum wages (Salario Mínimo, Vital y Móvil), which is periodically adjusted for inflation.

Monthly Accountant Fee
ARS 220,000

A monthly contador (accountant) is effectively mandatory given Argentina's strict, complex tax filing calendar.

SAS Total Setup Cost Estimate
ARS 590,000

Approximate total cost to set up an SAS including registration and basic professional/notary fees, before ongoing accounting fees — reported by market sources as 'a few hundred US dollars.' This is a rough estimate; actual peso figures move quickly with inflation and should be reconfirmed at the time of filing.

Realistic Timeline

Sa
An SA typically takes about 8 to 12 weeks end-to-end, due to higher capital requirements and the statutory auditor (sindicatura) process.
SAS
The SAS entity itself can typically be formed in 24–72 hours (in the best case, within 24 business hours) through the online IGJ/TAD system. Factoring in CUIT/ARCA tax registration and provincial tax steps, a realistic end-to-end timeline is about 1 to 4 weeks.
SRL
A standard SRL in the City of Buenos Aires (CABA) typically takes about 6 to 10 weeks end-to-end.
Foreign Shareholder Add On
If the shareholder is a foreign company requiring Article 123 registration, add time for apostille/legalization and sworn translation of foreign corporate documents — commonly 1 to 3 weeks on top of the base entity timeline, and registration of foreign entities generally can take 1–2 months as from filing in more complex cases.

Common Entity Types

  • SAS (Sociedad Por Acciones Simplificada)
    Description
    The fast-track, digital-native vehicle created in 2017 for entrepreneurs. Allows a single shareholder (who can be a foreigner), limited liability, and light governance with no mandatory board.
  • SRL (Sociedad De Responsabilidad Limitada)
    Description
    Argentina's traditional limited liability company. Requires a minimum of two and a maximum of fifty quota-holders. Often preferred by banks and for longer-term, regulated, or bank-scrutinized operations.
  • SA (Sociedad Anónima)
    Description
    The full corporate form with shares and a board of directors (directorio); requires at least two shareholders. Used for larger operations or where a more established, bank-recognized structure is wanted.
  • Branch of a Foreign Company
    Description
    An alternative to a local subsidiary; the branch does not limit liability the way a subsidiary does, since creditors can pursue the foreign parent's assets abroad.

Steps To Incorporate

  • Choose the entity type (SAS, SRL, or SA) based on speed, shareholder count, and banking/regulatory needs.
  • Check and reserve the company name with the Inspección General de Justicia (IGJ), the Buenos Aires City companies registry.
  • If a shareholder is a foreign individual: obtain a personal tax ID (CDI or CUIT) from ARCA (Argentina's federal tax authority, formerly AFIP) — a precaria (temporary) residence document is enough for this; a full DNI is not required.
  • If a shareholder is a foreign company: register that foreign company's existence/good-standing documents with the IGJ under Article 123 (apostilled/legalized and translated).
  • Draft the company's bylaws/articles of incorporation — a private digital document for an SAS, or a notarized public deed before an Argentine notary for an SRL or SA.
  • Subscribe and contribute the required capital (at least 25% of share capital must be contributed at the time of incorporation for entities like the SA).
  • File the incorporation documents with the IGJ — done fully online through the Trámites a Distancia (TAD) platform for an SAS, or via notary filing for SRL/SA.
  • Obtain the company's own CUIT from ARCA and register for national/local taxes (income tax, VAT, and the provincial Ingresos Brutos gross-revenue tax).
  • Have corporate/accounting books authorized (digitally for an SAS; physically stamped by IGJ for SRL/SA).
  • Open a corporate bank account in the company's name (some digital banks allow remote opening; traditional banks may require an in-person visit to Buenos Aires).

Local Partner Or Sponsor Mandate

Foreign Corporate Shareholder Step
If the shareholder itself is a foreign company (rather than a foreign individual), that foreign company must first register its bylaws and a certificate of good standing with the Public Registry (IGJ in the City of Buenos Aires) under Article 123 of the General Companies Law before it can hold equity in the new Argentine entity. In Buenos Aires City this Article 123 registration can generally be filed jointly with the incorporation of the local company.
Ownership
No local partner, sponsor, or nominee shareholder is legally required. A foreigner may be sole founder, shareholder, and administrator of an SAS.
Management Residency Nuance
Legal sources note a management-level local-presence rule rather than an ownership rule: for an SA, if there is a single director they may be of any nationality but must reside in Argentina, and if there are several directors the majority must reside in Argentina; a comparable local-management practice is described for SRL managers. This is a director/manager domicile requirement, not a requirement to bring in a local co-owner.

VAT

Higher Rate Notes
Applies to utility services (electricity, gas, water, telecom) supplied to registered business taxpayers
Reduced Rate Notes
Applies to items such as basic foodstuffs, medical services, public transport and newspapers
Higher Rate Percent
27
Reduced Rate Percent
10.5
Standard Rate Percent
21
Exports
Zero-rated
Regime Name
IVA (Impuesto al Valor Agregado)
Filing Frequency
Monthly VAT returns

Filing Obligations

Deadline
Filing due date is mainly the second week of the fifth month after fiscal year-end; a 2025 rule (RG 5648/2025) extended this to June of the year following the fiscal period for corporate income tax and wealth tax returns, roughly a month later than the prior deadline
How Filed
Electronically through ARCA's online portal, together with financial statements and required annexes
Fiscal Year
Standard tax year runs 1 January to 31 December, though companies may request an alternative fiscal year-end to match a global accounting cycle
Return Name
Declaración Jurada del Impuesto a las Ganancias (annual corporate income tax return)
Recordkeeping
Companies must keep detailed transaction records, including support for expenses, revenue recognition and transfer pricing positions, since ARCA/AFIP audits are routine.
Administering Authority
ARCA (Agencia de Recaudación y Control Aduanero, the renamed AFIP)

Other Taxes And Jurisdictions

Withholding On Cross Border Payments
Outbound payments to non-residents for royalties/technical assistance carry withholding in commonly cited effective bands of roughly 21%, 28%, or 31.5%-35%, depending on whether the underlying technology/service agreement is registered and how 'obtainable locally' it is classified. Double tax treaties can reduce these rates.
Note
Argentina has three overlapping tax layers relevant to a Buenos Aires business: national (income tax, VAT), provincial/City of Buenos Aires, and municipal. A City of Buenos Aires-registered company should expect an additional provincial-style gross-receipts tax (Ingresos Brutos) on top of national corporate tax and VAT; get a local accountant to confirm the current CABA rate for your specific activity, as it varies by sector and was not independently confirmed for this entry.

Dividend And Branch Remittance Withholding

Rate Percent
7
Combined Effective Rate Estimate Percent
Approximately up to 39.55% combined (corporate rate plus 7% dividend withholding) once profits are actually distributed
Applies To
Dividend distributions and branch profit remittances out of post-2018 earnings, to both resident and non-resident shareholders
Legacy Note
An older 35% 'equalisation tax' still applies only to distributions made out of earnings accumulated before 1 January 2018 that exceeded taxable earnings at the time; it no longer applies to newer profits.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

This section has no cited sources.

More About Buenos Aires

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.