Business in Argentina: setting up a company, buying a business and taxes

Business in Argentina: the short version

In short: an SAS suits a small business, an SRL suits a partnership, and an SA suits a large business or one raising outside investment. Corporate income tax ranges from 25% to 35%, dividends are taxed at 7% and VAT is 21%. Large projects from $200 million qualify for incentives under the RIGI regime.

Since 2024 the government has steadily simplified company registration and lifted currency controls. In 2026 the Buenos Aires registry scrapped dozens of formal requirements: an SAS can now be registered online within a few days, a foreign corporate founder is registered at the same time as the new company, and articles of incorporation are accepted electronically. For a foreign entrepreneur, Argentina is noticeably more accessible than it was five years ago.

Doing business in Argentina is a separate decision from citizenship. Citizenship by investment gives the right to run a business without permits, but does not require one. A foreigner with neither citizenship nor residence can also set up a company; to work in the country in person, however, they need a residence permit. More on the programme in our article what Argentine citizenship gives you.

The table shows the key constraint for foreigners: the local management rule. In an SAS at least one administrator must live in Argentina, in an SA the majority of directors, and in an SRL the manager. Founders can live anywhere, but someone has to run the company on the ground.

Which form to choose

In short: a single founder chooses an SAS, several partners who know each other choose an SRL, a large business with a board and investors chooses an SA, and a foreign company operating in the country uses a branch or a subsidiary.

The SAS under Law 27.349 is more flexible than the other forms: a single shareholder, online registration, electronic books and capital of two minimum wages, which from October 2026 is about 780,000 pesos. Since September 2026 an SAS may list any lawful activity in its articles. An SRL suits partners who know each other and has no minimum capital requirement. An SA is meant for large businesses: minimum capital is 30 million pesos, a quarter of it paid in on incorporation, and a statutory auditor is required once certain thresholds are exceeded.

One person cannot set up an SRL: the law allows a sole shareholder only in joint-stock forms. That is why a solo entrepreneur chooses an SAS. For some activities, such as cryptocurrency services, the regulator requires an SA or an SRL, and an SAS will not do. A foreign company that becomes a shareholder of an Argentine one first registers with the registry under Article 123 of the Companies Law.

Registering a company

In short: in Buenos Aires an SAS is registered online through the TAD portal using a tax number and an ARCA access key. The registry promises 72 hours, and the company's tax number is issued in the same filing. An SRL or an SA takes several weeks to register.

A non-resident foreigner who wants to hold shares obtains a tax number: since March 2026 a CUIT is issued instead of the former CDI. Founders abroad sign the articles before a notary in their own country with an apostille or at an Argentine consulate, and a representative under a power of attorney handles the filing in Argentina. The company's registered address must be in the region of registration: for an SAS on the Buenos Aires registry, in the City of Buenos Aires.

Once registered, the company enrols with ARCA for VAT and income tax, opens a bank account and, if it hires staff, registers as an employer. For an SA or an SRL the articles are executed before a notary, 25% of an SA's cash capital is deposited in an account at a state bank, and notice of incorporation is published in the Official Gazette. On bank accounts, see our article opening a bank account in Argentina.

Business taxes

In short: corporate income tax is 25%, 30% or 35% on a sliding scale, dividends are taxed at 7%, VAT is 21%, and the provinces levy a turnover tax. A tax on transactions applies to the company's current accounts.

Related reading: Real estate in Argentina.

Company profits are taxed on a progressive scale: 25% on the first bracket, 30% on the middle one and 35% on profits above the top threshold. Distributed profits are subject to a 7% dividend tax. The provincial turnover tax depends on the type of activity and where the business operates. The tax on credits and debits to the company's current accounts can be partly credited against income tax.

Small businesses and the self-employed can opt for a simplified regime with a single monthly payment covering taxes and contributions. Exports of certain services are exempt from VAT, which matters for IT and consulting firms with clients abroad. More in our article taxes in Argentina.

The RIGI regime for large investments

In short: projects from $200 million in strategic sectors get a 25% income tax rate, accelerated depreciation, currency freedoms and 30 years of stable terms. The regime has been extended to 8 July 2027.

The Large Investment Incentive Regime was introduced by Law 27.742 in July 2024. It covers projects in forestry, tourism, infrastructure, mining, technology, steel, energy, and oil and gas. A dedicated project company is set up to take part, and at least 40% of the investment must be made within the first two years. In return the company gets a 25% rate, a reduced dividend tax after several years, freedom in currency operations and a stability guarantee.

RIGI is rarely a direct fit for a private investor: it is a regime for large corporate projects. But it shows where policy is heading: the government is attracting long-term capital and locking in the terms for it. The citizenship by investment programme is part of the same policy aimed at dollar inflows.

IT, consulting and the knowledge economy

In short: companies in programming, software development, consulting, research and content production can use the knowledge economy regime, which carries tax incentives. Exports of such services are partly exempt from VAT.

Law 27.506 on promoting the knowledge economy gives registered companies a reduced income tax rate depending on company size, a tax credit on social security contributions for employees and incentives for service exports. To take part, a company registers with the regime and confirms that its main activity falls within the knowledge economy, and it must also meet requirements for staff training or investment in research.

Argentina is known for strong engineers and designers, and its time zone overlaps with US working hours. That is why many foreign IT companies open development centres in Buenos Aires. For an entrepreneur from Russia or the CIS, it is a way to serve American and European clients from a country where banking infrastructure is accessible. The regime comes with requirements and audits, so the decision to register is made together with an accountant.

Hiring staff

In short: Argentine labour law protects the employee: a thirteenth salary paid in two instalments a year, paid leave, severance pay on dismissal and employer social security contributions.

The employer registers every employee and pays wages plus pension and health insurance contributions. The thirteenth salary is paid in two parts, in June and December. An employee dismissed without cause receives severance pay that depends on length of service. The 2024 reform allowed sector-wide agreements to replace severance pay with a fund, but in practice this does not work in every sector.

For a small company owned by a foreign entrepreneur, it is often more practical to work with contractors under the simplified tax regime and build up permanent staff as the business grows. But a contractor who in effect works as an employee can claim recognition of an employment relationship, so contracts should be drafted by a lawyer. Undeclared employment is the main source of claims when buying a business.

Buying an existing business

In short: an existing business is bought either through a stake in the company or through a purchase of assets. The main risks are labour and tax liabilities, which are checked before the deal.

When buying a stake, the buyer takes on the company with its entire history: contracts, employees, tax obligations and disputes. Argentine labour law protects workers, and hidden employment claims are a frequent problem when buying a business. So a review is carried out before the deal: tax returns, employment contracts, court cases, licences and leases.

Buying assets - premises, equipment, a trademark, a customer base - lets the buyer avoid taking on the company's history, but requires licences and contracts to be transferred. The choice of structure depends on the type of business and the results of the review. A foreign buyer should decide early who will run the business locally, because the local management rule applies to an acquired company as well.

Business and residence

In short: a company can be set up without residence, but to work in Argentina personally a foreigner needs a residence permit. Owning a business can itself be grounds for residence.

A foreign founder living abroad runs the business through a local administrator. If they want to work in Argentina in person, they need residence: as an employee of their own company, as an investor or as a person of independent means. Migration law provides residence for investors who put money into productive activity and for salaried workers. On the types of residence permit, see our article Argentina residence permit.

Citizenship removes these questions: an Argentine citizen works, runs a business and manages a company without permits, and for the local management rule what counts is place of residence, not nationality. An entrepreneur living abroad still appoints a local administrator even with an Argentine passport. If a family chooses citizenship by investment, the cost for your family composition is shown in the Argentina programme cost calculation.

For entrepreneurs from Russia and the CIS

In short: there are no nationality restrictions on founders. The main issues are transferring capital, the company's bank account and beneficial owner checks.

Argentine banks screen a company's beneficial owners, and for citizens of Russia and Belarus the checks are enhanced. Share capital and start-up funds usually arrive from accounts in third countries, and the source of funds is supported by documents. For IT and consulting firms serving foreign clients, Argentina is convenient for its time zone overlap with the Americas and the cost of specialists. More on Russian citizens in our article Argentine citizenship for Russians.

Where foreign entrepreneurs go wrong

In short: they expect to run the company only from abroad, set up an SRL on their own, buy a business without checking labour liabilities and overlook the tax on account transactions.

1. They manage only from abroad. The law requires local management.
2. They set up an SRL on their own. A single person can only set up an SAS or an SA.
3. They buy a business without due diligence. Labour and tax liabilities pass with the company.
4. They work in the country without a residence permit. Setting up a company is allowed, working in person is not.
5. They ignore the transaction tax. On current accounts it is charged on every credit and debit.

What to check before you start

In short: the company form, who manages it locally, the founders' tax numbers, the bank and the route for the capital, and the entrepreneur's own residence. What we handle and what is left to you is set out on the Argentine passport by investment page.

• Which form fits: SAS, SRL, SA or a branch.
• Who will be the administrator domiciled in Argentina.
• Whether the founders have tax numbers.
• Which bank will open the account and where the capital will come from.
• Whether the entrepreneur needs a residence permit or citizenship: the citizenship programme.