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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

Foreign tax credits

Argentina

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

Australia

Where foreign-sourced income is included in a taxpayer's assessable income, foreign income tax offsets are available at the lesser of the foreign tax paid or the Australian tax payable.

Austria

See below under “Double Taxation Treaties”.

Belgium

Foreign tax credits are available for foreign taxes paid, subject to limitations.

Brazil

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

Canada

Subject to certain limitations and restrictions, foreign tax credits or deductions may be available to be claimed in respect of certain foreign taxes paid.

Chile

Income tax liability arising from foreign-sourced income derived by Chilean residents can be offset with taxes paid abroad on such income (imputation of foreign tax credits).

China

Foreign income tax paid by directly or indirectly owned foreign subsidiaries of a resident enterprise may be credited against the resident enterprise's income tax payable in China, subject to certain limitations.

Any unused foreign tax credit may be carried forward for 5 years.

Colombia

Colombian tax residents that receive foreign-source income subject to income tax in the source country are entitled to a tax credit in Colombia for income tax purposes. Foreign tax credits cannot exceed the Colombian income tax attributable to the net foreign taxable income but it is possible to carry forward indefinitely the unused foreign tax. The Colombian taxpayer must obtain a certification of the foreign tax paid.

Foreign tax credits are not allowed if the tax was applied on income qualified for tax purposes as a Colombian source income. Different rules apply under double taxation treaties.

Finland

Foreign taxes paid on income subject to Finnish taxation can be credited under the Finnish tax credit system.

France

No credit is given for the underlying corporate income taxes levied abroad, and, unless a relevant double tax treaty provides, foreign withholding taxes levied on the income received in France are not creditable against French tax on that income. Foreign tax paid in a tax treaty country may not be deducted from taxable income.

Germany

Under German domestic tax law, income from foreign sources is usually taxable, with a credit for the paid foreign income taxes, up to the amount of German tax payable on the foreign-source income, subject to per-country limitations. Excess foreign tax credits cannot be carried back or carried forward. In general, German tax treaties provide for an exemption from German taxation of income from foreign sources except for dividends from direct shareholdings of less than 10 percent and interest. In some cases, the exemption under German tax treaties are subject to substance or activity requirements.

Hong Kong, SAR

If foreign taxes are payable/paid on income derived from a jurisdiction where Hong Kong has a double taxation arrangement with and the same income is subject to tax in Hong Kong, a full credit for tax paid may be available in Hong Kong.

In addition, if foreign taxes are payable/paid on specified foreign-sourced income deemed taxable under the refined FSIE regime, foreign tax credits are available regardless of whether the jurisdiction has a double taxation arrangement with Hong Kong or not.

Hungary

Double tax treaties

Hungary has signed more than 70 double taxation treaties with other countries to avoid double taxation of income or gains. According to these, foreign taxes paid on foreign-source income may be credited against Hungarian tax, or the foreign source income may be exempted.

India

Subject to limitations, foreign tax credits are available for foreign taxes paid. The foreign tax credit is governed by the clauses of the relevant Tax Treaty (relief from double taxation). Further, the Central Board of Direct Taxes has also promulgated Foreign Tax Credit Rules.

Ireland

Ireland operates a credit system in respect of tax (including withholding tax and underlying tax) paid on dividends, interest and royalties. Onshore dividend pooling of foreign dividends is also available.

Israel

Israel grants a tax credit for taxes paid to a foreign jurisdiction on foreign source income. The credit is subject to certain restrictions including the application of the "baskets method."

Italy

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

Japan

The foreign taxes levied on a Japanese domestic corporation in the ordinary course of its business may be credited against Japanese corporate tax.

Luxembourg

A Luxembourg tax resident company is taxed on its worldwide income. Foreign-source income is taxable in Luxembourg, unless a double tax treaty (DTT) provides for an exemption. Dividends from foreign subsidiaries are also taxed, unless a DTT provides for an exemption.

Profits of a foreign branch that are not exempt under a DTT may benefit from a foreign tax credit. Taxes paid in excess of the tax credit are deductible as expenses.

Mexico

A tax credit is allowed for foreign income tax paid or deemed paid by Mexican corporations, but the credit is generally limited to the amount of Mexican tax incurred on the foreign-source portion of the company’s worldwide taxable income.

Mozambique

Subject to certain limitations, foreign tax credits and deductions are available to resident companies on foreign taxes paid, either in terms of domestic legislation or applicable tax treaties.

Netherlands

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

Norway

Foreign taxes paid on income subject to Norwegian taxation may be credited under the Norwegian tax credit system.

Peru

Resident taxpayers may deduct the foreign income taxes paid abroad under certain limits. Foreign tax credits may be offset only in the corresponding fiscal year – they cannot be offset in other fiscal years.

Poland

Foreign tax credits are available under domestic law and under relevant tax treaties.

Portugal

Foreign taxes paid on income subject to Portuguese taxation can be credited under the Portuguese tax credit system.

Romania

Subject to limitations and the availability of supporting documentation, foreign tax credits are available for foreign taxes paid.

Russia

A tax credit for the amount of foreign tax paid on foreign sources of income is generally available, but it is subject to a limit of the maximum amount of Russian tax due on the same income.

Singapore

Singapore resident companies may claim foreign tax credit for tax paid in a foreign jurisdiction (including tax treaty and non-tax treaty jurisdictions) against the Singapore tax payable on the same income, subject to certain conditions. The amount of allowable foreign tax credit is capped at the lower of the foreign tax paid and the Singapore tax that would have been payable after permissible deductions under the ITA.

A foreign tax credit pooling system is available, subject to certain conditions.

South Africa

Subject to certain limitations, foreign tax credits and deductions are available to SA residents on foreign taxes paid, either in terms of domestic legislation or applicable tax treaties.

South Korea

Foreign tax credits are available for foreign taxes paid. A "deemed" foreign tax credit may be available for reduced taxes by tax treaties, and an "indirect" foreign tax credit also may be available for taxes paid by foreign subsidiaries on profits repatriated to domestic corporations.

Spain

If the participation exemption does not apply, withholding taxes and underlying tax can be deducted, under certain rules.

Sweden

Foreign taxes paid on income subject to Swedish taxation may be credited under the Swedish tax credit system.

Switzerland

Switzerland primarily applies the tax exemption method in its tax treaties. On certain income streams (dividend, interest and license fees), source tax may be credited against the tax levied in Switzerland.

Taiwan, China

A foreign tax credit is available for income tax paid in other countries on income derived outside of Taiwan and may be used to offset the foreign tax paid against a Taiwan company’s tax liability.

Turkey

Foreign tax credits are available for foreign taxes paid, up to the amount of the corporate tax in Turkey attributable to the foreign income. The credits which are not used may be carried forward for 3 years. The limit for a foreign tax credit is a corporate tax attributable to foreign income in Turkey.

Ukraine

Upon availability of a valid and legalized certificate confirming payment of taxes abroad, such taxes may be credited against taxes due in Ukraine; however, the credit may not exceed the amount of domestic tax due.

United Arab Emirates

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

United Kingdom

Subject to limitations, foreign tax credits are available for foreign taxes paid. In the relatively rare situations where dividends received from overseas subsidiaries are not completely exempt from UK corporation tax, the amount of tax payable on the dividend will be subject to a credit for foreign tax paid or withheld by the subsidiaries (subject to a cap to combat certain avoidance structures).

United States

Subject to limitations, foreign tax credits may be available for foreign taxes paid.  An "indirect" foreign tax credit may be available to domestic corporations for taxes paid by on Subpart F income or GILTI income or distributions of previously taxed income.

Zimbabwe

Tax credits for foreign tax paid may be available in terms of a double taxation agreement (DTAs).

Zimbabwe has entered into comprehensive DTAs with the following countries: Botswana, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Malaysia, Mauritius, Namibia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, South Africa, Sweden, the UK and China.

Zimbabwe has pending DTAs with Indonesia, Namibia, Singapore, the Seychelles, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Yugoslavia, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, and Serbia and Montenegro.