Expatriate tax ebook - Argentina

Facts and figures

Pre arrival procedures
Employment visas
Tax year
Tax returns and compliance
Income tax rates
Sample income tax calculation

Pre arrival procedures
Expatriates who require a work visa must apply for this before taking up employment in Argentina. It is therefore important that the expatriate’s employment contract and benefit package is structured in a tax efficient way before the contract is submitted to the immigration authority, in order to get some tax benefits.

Employment visas
The Argentine company or institution hiring the expatriate must apply for a visa. However, this application may also be submitted at the relevant Argentine Consulate. Applying for this visa costs approximately Euro 200.

If the company or institution assigning an expatriate to Argentina is not registered in Argentina, the Argentine Consulate shall require the submission of commercial references and statements by the directors of the company or institution in the company’s home country.

The requirements to apply for a work visa are:

• Contract of employment with an Argentine company or institution.
• Birth certificate translated into Spanish by a Sworn Translator.
• Marriage certificate translated into Spanish by a Sworn Translator.
• The passport of each one of the family members which shall be valid for at least a year and a half as from the date of issuance of the visa.
• Three passport-type photographs of each family member (4 cm high x 4 cm wide, preferably against an off-white background, ¾ profile looking to the left)

These visas are issued to persons employed by, or in an internship arrangement with, Argentine companies and they will be valid for at least 6 to 12 months.

Tax returns and compliance
The tax returns for Income Tax purposes must be filed in mid-April each year. This due date may not be extended at the request of the taxpayer. In the event the taxpayer did not file the tax return or filed it after the due date has expired, an automatic fine shall be imposed in the amount of $ 200, which may be reduced by 50%, plus compensatory interest accrued as from the due date until the moment the relevant tax liability is paid off.

Tax year
The Argentine financial year runs from 1 January to 31 December.

Income tax rates
The Income Tax rate levied on individuals is progressive, based on the following brackets:

• introduction
• facts and figures
• basis of taxation
• what taxes?
• tax planning opportunities