Doing business in Vaca Muerta: FAQ

A subsidiary (usually an SA, SRL or SAS) is an Argentine legal entity: it limits the parent's liability to the capital contributed and can hold payroll, bank accounts and contracts on its own. A branch is not a separate entity, so the parent remains liable. For tax purposes both pay the same corporate income tax rates; the choice depends on liability, governance and how you plan to operate.

Yes. To open a branch or hold shares in a local company, the foreign entity must register with the public registry of the jurisdiction where it will be domiciled. Buenos Aires City simplified this regime in 2026; provinces such as Neuquén apply their own rules, so we check them case by case.

Plan for roughly two to four months from apostilled documents to your first invoice. The main variables are the foreign shareholder's registration and tax ID. Starting before documents are apostilled and translated is the most common cause of delays.

Typically a recent certificate of good standing, current bylaws, a board resolution approving the registration and appointing a legal representative, and apostilled powers of attorney. Foreign-language documents need certified Spanish translations. With apostilled powers, shareholders don't need to travel.

Nationally, the entity needs a tax ID (CUIT) from ARCA, the federal tax agency (formerly AFIP), and registers for corporate income tax, VAT (21% standard rate) and as an employer if it hires staff. Provincially, it registers for the turnover tax (Ingresos Brutos) in Neuquén, or under the Convenio Multilateral if it operates in more than one province.

Ingresos Brutos is a provincial tax on gross receipts; unlike VAT, it gives no input credit, so it is a real cost. Companies operating in several provinces file under the Convenio Multilateral, which splits the tax base between them. Rates depend on the activity and on each province's annual tax law.

Corporate income tax is progressive at 25%, 30% and 35% across income bands that are indexed every year. Dividends and branch profit remittances are subject to a 7% withholding tax.

Argentina's foreign-exchange rules have been eased significantly since 2025, and dividends for recent fiscal years can be paid abroad through the official FX market. Some restrictions still apply and the rules change often, so we review the current Central Bank regulations before each transaction.

Employer social security contributions are roughly a quarter of gross pay, and the 2026 labor reform is introducing changes gradually. Oil and gas activities are covered by sector collective agreements with salaries well above the national average, so headcount costs need to be budgeted with local benchmarks.

Neuquén's local supplier law gives preference to certified Neuquén companies in the oil and gas value chain, and operators must report their purchases to the provincial authority. For a foreign supplier, partnering with or subcontracting certified local firms can make a real difference when bidding.

RIGI is Argentina's large-investment incentive regime: tax, customs and FX benefits plus long-term stability for very large projects (for new onshore oil and gas developments, the minimum is in the hundreds of millions of dollars). Most service companies won't qualify directly, but they can supply RIGI projects, which are driving much of the basin's growth.

Yes. We work in English and Spanish and can report to headquarters, coordinating with your external auditors and advisers; for specialized tax and reporting work we rely on an associated firm. The first 30-minute call is free, by video or in person in Neuquén, and you can book it directly in our online calendar.