January 5, 2021 Argentina issues decree on the promotional regime for the knowledge-based economy The decree provides more details on the requirements taxpayers must satisfy to obtain the benefits of the promotional regime. Taxpayers that perform knowledge-based and digital activities should assess the potential benefits to their organizations. On December 21, 2020, Argentina's Executive Power published, in the Official Gazette, Decree 1034/2020 (Decree 1034) to implement the provisions of the promotional tax system applicable to the knowledge-based economy. For more information on this regime, see Tax Alert 2020-2576. Background On October 26, 2020, Argentina enacted Law 27,570, which amended the promotional regime by imposing new requirements to qualify for the regime and modifying certain benefits. The regime's objective is to promote knowledge-based and digital activities in Argentina that result in the manufacturing of goods, the provision of services or the improvement of processes. Decree 1034 Decree 1034 establishes that exports of services from companies participating in this regime will not be subject to export duties. Requirements Eligible companies must enroll in a special registry according to the terms and conditions to be established by the Application Authority, which will annually verify compliance with the requirements. Under the decree, taxpayers must satisfy a main activity requirement to qualify for the regime. The main activity requirement is satisfied if, at the moment of registering for the regime, the taxpayer derived at least 70% of its revenues in the previous year from one or more of the promoted activities listed in the law. The decree also establishes the mechanism for calculating the level of investment in research and development, and the level of employee retention, employee training and exports, among others. Tax benefits The decree clarifies that the special tax credit bond equal to 80% of the amount payable as Social Security contributions for certain groups of employees working in the promoted activities (e.g. women, postgraduates, disabled and others) only applies for the first 24 months of recruiting those employees. For exporters to obtain the exemption from value-added tax withholdings and reverse withholdings, exporters must have performed at least one export in the three months before registering for the regime. The decree clarifies that eligible companies may transfer the tax benefits to a different legal entity in a tax-free reorganization. Fee The decree establishes that companies participating in the promotional regime will have to pay a fee calculated on a percentage of the tax savings obtained from the regime, as follows: micro enterprises 1%, small and medium enterprises 2.5% and large enterprises 3.5%. Implications Companies doing business in Argentina and multinational groups interested in the Argentine market should evaluate the new promotional regime and assess the potential benefits to their operations and activities. ———————————————
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