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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

Consolidation

Argentina

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Australia

For income tax purposes, an Australian head company of a wholly owned group of Australian resident entities can elect to consolidate with its wholly owned Australian subsidiaries and form a consolidated group. For a consolidated group, the group is treated as a single taxpayer and intra-group transactions are ignored for income tax purposes.

Goods and services tax (GST) grouping and payroll taxes grouping are also available.

Austria

Group Taxation (Consolidation)

In 2005, a new system of group taxation (Gruppenbesteuerung) was introduced. The system of group taxation allows allocating profit or loss of domestic members of such tax group to the holding company, which is the only taxpayer for the whole group with respect to corporate income tax. In addition, losses from foreign directly held subsidiaries may be utilized against Austrian income, subject to certain requirements and restrictions, but have to be recaptured if utilized in subsequent periods in the foreign jurisdiction.

In general, the only requirements for becoming a group member of a tax group is a direct or indirect major shareholding in a corporation and the execution of a group consolidation contract. However, there are certain additional provisions for foreign entities. Furthermore, the group members must apply for group taxation with the competent tax authorities. A tax group must be in existence for a period of at least 3 years. If a group member withdraws from the group before this period has elapsed, such group member's tax will be assessed as if it never had been a group member.

Excessive Interest (interest barrier)

The new Section in the Corporate Income Tax Act , entitled "Zinsschranke" (interest barrier), is intended to implement the provisions of Art 4 ATAD2 limiting the deductibility of interest payments into national tax law, for the purpose of determination of the arm’s length nature of related party financing. These provisions aim to combat any profit shifting by groups of companies in the form of excessive interest payments by limiting the deductibility of excess debt capital costs.

§ 12a Corporate Income Tax Act sets out the basic rule of the interest barrier, according to which excess interest is only deductible to the extent of 30 percent of the taxable EBITDA or contains an tax-free amount of EUR3 million, i.e. excess interest up to this amount is to be immediately deductible as a business expense regardless of the amount of the taxable EBITDA. Any financing expenses in excess of the aforementioned amount will be non-deductible but can be carried forward.

Belgium

Pursuant to the latest corporate tax reform, a corporate income tax consolidation regime has been introduced as of January 1, 2019 (assessment year 2020).

Brazil

Brazilian tax legislation does not provide for consolidation.

Canada

Canada does not allow income tax returns to be filed on a consolidated basis for affiliated or related corporations.

Chile

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

China

Consolidated tax filing of multiple enterprises is not allowed unless otherwise prescribed by the State Council. However, if a foreign company has more than 2 establishments in China, it may elect to have the main establishment in China make a consolidated tax filing for other establishments if it satisfies the conditions imposed by the PRC tax authority.

Colombia

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Finland

Companies cannot file corporate income tax returns on a consolidated basis in Finland. However, Finnish companies that belong to the same group (which applies to share ownership of more than 90 percent of the shares) may exchange group contributions to facilitate tax consolidation on a company level. A group contribution is deductible for the paying company and is taxable for the recipient company.

France

The French tax consolidation regime allows a French parent company and its 95-percent-owned domestic subsidiaries to combine their profits and losses and to pay corporate income tax on the consolidated result. A French parent company indirectly owning at least 95 percent of French affiliates through 1 or more foreign companies based in the EU, Iceland, Norway or Liechtenstein (intermediary companies) can also form a tax group. Similarly, it is possible to set up a tax group between sister companies with the parent company established in the EU, Iceland, Norway or Liechtenstein.

Germany

Profits and losses of a controlled company are attributed to the controlling company if certain requirements are fulfilled and a profit and loss pooling agreement is entered into for a minimum period of 5 years. However, tax consolidation is only possible for subsidiaries with effective place of management in Germany.

Hong Kong, SAR

Although group companies in Hong Kong are, subject to certain exceptions, required to prepare consolidated financials for accounting purposes, Hong Kong does not allow groups of companies to file consolidated profits tax returns. There is no group loss relief (eg, loss consolidation, loss transfer) for taxpayers in group companies.

Hungary

Since 2019, taxpayers may opt for group taxation for corporate income tax purposes subject to certain conditions. Members of the tax group may offset losses against the profits of other members of the tax group concerned. The general corporate income tax rate is applicable to corporate income tax groups.

India

Consolidated tax returns are not permitted to be filed in India.

Ireland

Certain loss reliefs can be grouped (see below). However, there is no concept of fiscal unity.

Companies with close organizational, financial and economic links may form a VAT group. All companies in the group are jointly and separately liable for the VAT of the group.

Israel

Filing consolidated tax returns is generally not permitted with a narrow exception in the case of "industrial companies."

Italy

Eligible corporations that are affiliated (generally based on at least 50 percent stock ownership) may elect to compute corporate income tax on a consolidated basis.

Japan

The consolidated taxation system is applicable to a group of Japanese corporations in which a Japanese corporation directly or indirectly owns 100 percent ownership of other Japanese corporations, and it is optional for applicable corporations. Under the current consolidation system, the consolidated companies are treated as if they are a single taxpayer for Corporation Tax purposes. However, this system will be transformed into the group relief system from the taxable year commencing on or after April 1, 2022, under which each group company is treated as a separate taxpayer, but profits and losses are adjusted and offset among the group companies.

Luxembourg

A group of companies, under certain conditions, may apply the tax consolidation regime in Luxembourg. In practice, the tax consolidation regime enables the group to pool or offset the respective taxable profit of each company in the group and to be taxed on the aggregate amount (ie, a group of companies is treated as a single taxpayer). Losses incurred by one company of a group may accordingly be offset by the profits realized by another group company.

The main requirements are the following:

  • A minimum shareholding (95 percent) must be held without interruption from the beginning of the financial year to which the tax consolidation regime is applied
  • Group companies must begin and end their financial years on the same date and
  • The companies concerned must be grouped for at least 5 financial years.

Tax consolidation is requested jointly to the tax authorities.

Mexico

A Mexican holding company may obtain an authorization to effectively compute income tax on a consolidated basis (called the integration regime as of 2014), but each company of the group is responsible for filing and paying the tax individually. This option is subject to several rules and limitations, including a recapture of benefits.

Mozambique

Companies may not elect to file corporate income tax returns on a consolidated basis and must file independently.

Netherlands

The Dutch tax consolidation regime allows a Dutch parent company and its 95-percent-owned domestic subsidiaries to apply for the consolidation regime. In addition, a tax consolidation is allowed between 2 Dutch sister companies that have the same EU parent company which owns an interest of at least 95 percent in both Dutch companies. Profits and losses of the subsidiaries are attributed to the Dutch controlling parent company. A Dutch parent company that indirectly owns at least 95 percent of Dutch affiliates through 1 or more foreign companies based in the EU, Iceland, Norway or Liechtenstein (intermediary companies) may also form a tax group. Similarly, it is possible to set up a tax group between sister companies with their parent company established in the EU, Iceland, Norway or Liechtenstein.

Norway

Norway does not have a tax consolidation system and hence separate entity taxation applies for income tax purposes.

However, companies belonging to the same group (which applies to share ownership of more than 90 percent of the shares) may exchange group contributions. A group contribution is deductible for the paying company and is taxable for the recipient company.

Peru

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Poland

It is possible to consolidate for tax purposes within a tax capital group. Several requirements must be fulfilled (eg, an average capital of PLN250,000 for each group company, a minimum share of 75 in subsidiaries by the parent).

Portugal

Eligible corporations that are affiliated (generally based on at least 75 percent ownership of the statutory capital of the other affiliates and ownership of more than 50 percent of the voting rights) may elect to file corporate income tax returns on a consolidated basis.

Romania

Starting 2021, taxpayers may register for a corporate income tax consolidation group. The entities that are part of such a group must meet the following requirements:

  • They are Romanian legal entities or have their head office in Romania;
  • They are affiliated via an individual or entity owning, directly or indirectly, at least 75 percent of shares/voting rights in each entity;
  • The individual or entity generating the affiliation is either a Romanian resident or resides in a state with which Romania has concluded a double taxation avoidance treaty or an information exchange treaty.

Consolidation is also available also for VAT purposes. However, different requirements apply.

Russia

Under federal law, the availability of a consolidated taxpayer group has been terminated with effect from January 1, 2023. No new contracts on consolidated taxpayer groups can be registered as of 2019. The tax consolidation registrations obtained in 2018 have been rescinded. The pre-2018 consolidated taxpayer groups will continue to operate until their expiration date, but in any event until January 1, 2023.

Singapore

Singapore companies within the same group are required to file their corporate income tax returns separately.

South Africa

Companies may not elect to file corporate income tax returns on a consolidated basis and must file individually.

South Korea

Eligible corporations that are affiliated (generally based on 100% stock ownership) may elect to file corporate income tax returns on a consolidated basis.

Spain

Eligible corporations that are affiliated (generally based on at least 75-percent stock ownership or 70-percent stock ownership for listed companies and the majority of the voting rights) may elect to file corporate income tax returns on a consolidated basis. A Spanish group may apply tax consolidation when the dominant company is tax resident in a foreign country (horizontal consolidation) provided that it has legal personality, is taxed by a foreign tax identical or analogous to the Spanish corporate income tax, and is not resident in a tax haven.

Sweden

In Sweden, it is not possible for companies to file corporate income tax returns on a consolidated basis. However, companies belonging to the same group, which applies to share ownership of more than 90 percent of the shares, may exchange group contributions. A group contribution is deductible for the paying company and is taxable for the recipient company.

Switzerland

Switzerland does not have a tax consolidation system, and hence separate entity taxation applies for income tax purposes. The Swiss VAT Act provides for group taxation for VAT purposes.

Taiwan, China

A qualified financial holding company or a company which consummates a qualified merger, acquisition or spinoff transaction that holds at least 90 percent of the total  issued shares of its Taiwan subsidiary for 12 consecutive months during a tax year may elect to file consolidated returns.

Turkey

Tax consolidation is not allowed under Turkish tax regime. Each company of a group must file a separate corporate tax return for itself.

Ukraine

No consolidated tax returns are envisaged. Consolidated financial reporting is obligatory for certain groups.

United Arab Emirates

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

United Kingdom

Eligible corporations may enter into a "group payment arrangement," whereby one company makes itself responsible for administering the corporation tax affairs of all members of the group. However, this is an administrative arrangement only, and all UK companies are required to file separate corporation tax returns, calculate their respective liabilities separately and remain liable for their own corporation tax.

United States

Eligible corporations that are affiliated (generally based on at least 80-percent stock ownership) may elect to file corporate income tax returns on a consolidated basis.

Zimbabwe

There are no provisions in Zimbabwean law for the filing of corporate tax returns on a consolidated basis.