Doing Business In Argentina

If you are planning on doing business in Argentina
knowledge of the investment environment and
information on the legal, accounting and taxation
framework are essential to keep you on the right track

Doing Business in Argentina

Contents

Page
Foreword

1

Country Profile

2

Regulatory environment

5

Business entities

7

Books and accounting records

10

Taxlegislation

14

Labour legislation

22

Foreign Direct Investment Act

27

Contact details

31

Doing business in Argentina

1

Foreword

Grant Thornton in Argentina, a member firm within Grant Thornton International Ltd (Grant
Thornton International) offers tangible solutions to its clients through a wide variety of specific
services aimed at optimising their business syield. The firm has a staff of 300 professionals who
have the right mix of skills and experience to help its clients to achieve success promptly and
efficiently.
Grant Thornton’s service is based on personalized assistance, commitment to clients, knowledge of
their business and awareness of their needs, hence providing its clients with concrete solutions
implemented with modern technology. Inaddition to these advantages, resources provided by Grant
Thornton International include international-level specialists. Said specialists will give their clients
tangible benefits and a profitable investment for the company’s growth.
Among services provided are accounting and auditing, business and government advisory, tax
compliance and advisory, and business processes outsourcing.
GrantThornton International is one of the world’s leading organisations of independently owned
and managed accounting and consulting firms. These firms provide assurance, tax and specialist
advisory services to privately held businesses and public interest entities. Clients of member and
correspondent firms can access the knowledge and experience of more than 2600 partners in over
100 countries andconsistently receive from its 30,000 personnel a distinctive, high quality and
personalised service wherever they choose to do business. Grant Thornton International strives to
speak out on issues that matter to business and which are in the wider public interest and to be a
bold and positive leader in its chosen markets and within the global accounting profession.
The strength of each local firmis reflected in the quality of the international organisation. All Grant
Thornton International member firms share a commitment to providing the same high quality
service to their clients wherever they choose to do business.
If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact your nearest Grant
Thornton member firm.
This guide has been prepared for the assistance ofthose interested in doing business in Argentina. It
does not cover the subject exhaustively but is intended to answer some of the important, broad
questions that may arise. When specific problems occur in practice, it will often be necessary to refer
to the laws and regulations of Argentina and to obtain appropriate accounting and legal advice. This
guide contains only brief notes and includeslegislation in force as of April 2011.

© 2011 Grant Thornton. All rights reserved.

Doing business in Argentina

2

Country Profile

Summary

stable government and growing economy
dependence on exports
educated workforce
no racial or religious conflicts
Basic data (2010 estimates)

Population
Area
GDP (purchasing power parity)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
Exports
Imports
Literacyrate
Inhabitants per physician
Life expectancy
Urban population
Local currency

41,769,726 (Jul 2011 est.)
2.8 million sq. Km (30% of Europe)
US$ 596 billion
US$ 14,700
US$ 68.5 billion
US$ 56.4 billion
97%
332
77 ys
92%
Argentine peso

Geography and climate

Argentina is the 8th largest country in the world. Its topography is highly varied, ranging from fertile
plains in...