Gross income tax: overview and Convenio Multilateral
Last verified: 24 Oct 2026 · Status: Changing
Gross income tax (Ingresos Brutos) is levied by each province and the City of Buenos Aires on gross turnover from activities carried on in its territory. Rates generally range from about 1% to 5% depending on activity and size, exports are usually exempt, and the tax is not creditable like VAT, so it cascades through the supply chain. Companies active in several jurisdictions apportion their base under the Convenio Multilateral of 18 Aug 1977, administered by the Comisión Arbitral.
Key rules
- Who levies it. 24 jurisdictions: 23 provinces and the City of Buenos Aires, each with its own tax code and an annual tariff law setting rates.
- Base. Gross receipts, with limited deductions. Export revenue is generally exempt.
- Convenio Multilateral. For activity in several jurisdictions, the base is split: generally 50% by revenue and 50% by expenses attributable to each jurisdiction (general regime, article 2), with special regimes for specific activities (articles 6 to 13).
- Withholdings. Provinces run withholding and collection regimes, including SIRCREB on bank account credits, which often create credit balances.
- Rates by province. See the pages for CABA, Buenos Aires province, Córdoba, Santa Fe, Mendoza and Neuquén.
Step by step
- Determine in which jurisdictions the company has activity (sales, offices, services).
- Register locally or under the Convenio Multilateral (SIFERE system of the Comisión Arbitral).
- File monthly advances and an annual return (CM05) apportioning the base.
- Track withholdings suffered and request reductions where balances build up.
International comparison
| Jurisdiction | Subnational turnover tax on gross receipts |
|---|---|
| Argentina | Yes, in every province, about 1% to 5% (official investor guide) source |
| US (Delaware) | Not yet sourced |
| UK | Not yet sourced |
| Canada | Not yet sourced |
| Chile | Not yet sourced |
| Uruguay | Not yet sourced |
| Brazil | Not yet sourced |
| Singapore | Not yet sourced |
| Estonia | Not yet sourced |
Practical traps
- Credit balances from SIRCREB and other withholdings are a common cash drain.
- A single sale can trigger nexus in several provinces through the expenses test.
The 1% to 5% range is the official investor guide's summary. Province pages give the tariff law numbers; activity rates must be read in each law.