Best Business Registration Lawyers in San Justo

About Business Registration Law in San Justo, Argentina

Business registration in San Justo, Argentina follows a mix of national, provincial and municipal rules. San Justo is the administrative center of La Matanza Partido in Buenos Aires Province, so you will deal with federal bodies for tax and social security matters, provincial registries for corporate formation when applicable, and the Municipalidad de La Matanza for municipal permits and commercial habilitations. Common business structures include sole proprietorships (autonomo or monotributista), Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada - S.R.L., Sociedad Anonima - S.A., and Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada - SAS. Typical steps include choosing a legal form, drafting constitutive documents, notarization, registration with the appropriate public registry, obtaining a CUIT number from AFIP, and securing municipal licenses and fiscal registrations.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

A lawyer can help you navigate legal, tax and administrative requirements - and reduce the risk of costly mistakes. Typical needs for legal assistance include selecting the right legal form for liability and tax optimization, drafting statutes or bylaws and shareholders agreements, preparing and reviewing commercial leases and contracts, representing you before registries and government agencies, advising on employment and labor obligations, and helping with regulatory permits or sector-specific authorizations. Lawyers can also assist with cross-border issues if you are a foreign investor, and with corporate restructuring, mergers, or dissolution when needed.

Local Laws Overview

Key legal aspects to keep in mind in San Justo include:

- Federal registration and taxation: AFIP handles tax identification (CUIT), value added tax - IVA, income tax - IIBB coordination, and social security enrollments with ANSES. Small taxpayers can register under the monotributo system, which combines tax and social contributions in a simplified regime.

- Provincial obligations: The Province of Buenos Aires administers certain commercial registries and provincial taxes through ARBA - Agencia de Recaudacion de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Company registration for firms incorporated under provincial rules is processed at the provincial commercial registry or Registro de Sociedades correspondiente.

- Municipal permits and habilitacion: The Municipalidad de La Matanza issues municipal habilitations, use of premises certificates, and local tax registrations. Commercial zoning, signage, health inspections and specific activity permits are handled locally.

- Corporate law basics: Formation of S.R.L., S.A. and SAS requires drafting bylaws or bylaws-similar documents, signatures before a public notary - escribano publico, and submission to the corresponding public registry. SAS offers a streamlined and lower-cost option for many entrepreneurs, but it has specific rules for governance and capitalization.

- Labor and social security: Employment relationships must be registered with ANSES and AFIP, and employers must comply with labor contracts, minimum wages, social security contributions, workplace risk insurance - ART, and collective bargaining rules where applicable.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register a small business as an individual in San Justo?

You can register as a monotributista or as an autonomo through AFIP to obtain a CUIT and start invoicing. Monotributo is a simplified tax regime for small taxpayers that combines income tax and social contributions into a single monthly payment - eligibility depends on annual revenue thresholds and activity type. You will also need municipal habilitation from La Matanza for your commercial address.

What are the main differences between S.R.L., S.A., and SAS?

S.R.L. limits liability to company assets and is governed by member agreements and bylaws - it is common for small and medium businesses. S.A. is suitable for larger companies and may be required for public offerings or complex capital structures. SAS is a simplified stock company designed to make incorporation faster and cheaper, with flexible governance and fewer formalities - it is often the best choice for startups and single founders. Tax and governance consequences differ, so legal and tax advice is important.

Do I need a notary or lawyer to create a company?

Yes. Formation documents must typically be signed before an escribano publico for certification and notarization. A lawyer can draft and review the constitutive documents and help with registry procedures. The notary certifies signatures and prepares public instruments required by the registries.

What is a CUIT and how do I obtain one?

CUIT is the federal tax identification number issued by AFIP that identifies legal entities and individuals for tax and labor purposes. To obtain a CUIT you must register with AFIP, present identification and supporting documents, and choose a tax regime - monotributo or responsable inscripto - according to your activity and projected turnover.

Which municipal permits do I need in San Justo?

You will generally need municipal habilitacion for commercial activity, a certificate of use for the premises, and compliance with zoning and health regulations. Specific activities may require additional sanitary, environmental or safety permits. Requirements vary by activity and location, so check with the Municipalidad de La Matanza.

How long does the registration process usually take?

Timing varies with the legal form and the speed of each agency. Simple registrations like monotributo and CUIT can be completed in days, while forming a corporate entity, notarization and registry submission can take several weeks. Municipal habilitations and sectoral permits may add additional time. Delays are common if documentation is incomplete.

Can a foreigner open a company in San Justo?

Yes. Foreign natural persons and legal entities can form companies in Argentina, subject to identification and documentation requirements. Certain sectors have restrictions or require local approvals. Foreign investors should obtain immigration and tax advice and may need legal representation to comply with registration and reporting rules.

What are the ongoing compliance obligations after registration?

Ongoing obligations typically include filing tax returns and paying taxes to AFIP and ARBA, keeping accounting records, holding statutory meetings if required by the company type, updating registry records for changes in directors or bylaws, paying municipal taxes and renewing habilitaciones, and fulfilling payroll and social security contributions for employees.

How much does it cost to register a company?

Costs include notary fees, registry fees, legal fees for drafting documents, municipal habilitation charges and possible costs for licenses or sectoral permits. There are also ongoing costs for accounting, tax filings and social security contributions. Exact fees depend on the legal form, capital amount, and professional fees. Ask for a fee estimate before starting.

How do I close or dissolve a business if I need to stop operating?

Dissolution requires complying with formal procedures that depend on the legal form - approving dissolution through members or shareholders, liquidating assets and debts, preparing liquidation accounts, and cancelling registrations with AFIP, ANSES, provincial registry and municipal authorities. A lawyer and accountant should guide the process to ensure tax and labor obligations are settled and to avoid future liabilities.

Additional Resources

- AFIP - federal tax authority for CUIT, tax regimes and electronic invoicing information.

- ARBA - provincial tax authority for the Province of Buenos Aires for provincial tax registrations and obligations.

- Municipalidad de La Matanza - for municipal habilitations, permits, zoning and local taxes in San Justo.

- Registro de Sociedades de la Provincia de Buenos Aires - for company registration and filing of corporate documents when applicable.

- ANSES - for social security registrations and employer contributions.

- Ministerio de Trabajo - for labor law requirements and workplace regulations.

- Colegio de Escribanos de la Provincia de Buenos Aires - for notary guidance and locating escribanos publicos.

- Local Colegio de Abogados or bar association and Cámara de Comercio e Industria de La Matanza - for referrals to experienced corporate and tax lawyers and local business support.

Next Steps

1. Gather basic documents - personal identification, proof of address, and any partner or shareholder details - and prepare a short description of your planned activity and expected annual turnover.

2. Schedule an initial consultation with a local lawyer experienced in corporate and tax law - ask about their experience with San Justo and La Matanza municipal procedures, fees, and an estimated timeline.

3. Decide on a legal form after discussing liability, governance, capital needs and tax implications with your lawyer and an accountant.

4. Prepare and notarize constitutive documents, register with the appropriate public registry, obtain CUIT with AFIP, and complete municipal habilitation and provincial registrations as advised.

5. Keep a compliance checklist or calendar for tax filings, municipal renewals, payroll contributions and statutory obligations. Ask your lawyer to prepare an engagement letter that sets out services, fees and expected deliverables.

If you are unsure where to begin, start by contacting a local attorney or the municipal business office for guidance on required permits - accurate local advice will save time and reduce the risk of noncompliance.