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Business registration in Vicente López follows a combination of national, provincial and municipal rules. At the national level you deal with tax and social security registration through the Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos - AFIP and with labour rules administered by the Ministerio de Trabajo. At the provincial level you must comply with Buenos Aires province tax rules and register certain company types in the Registro Público de Comercio de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. At the municipal level the Municipalidad de Vicente López issues commercial habilitations, inspects zoning and enforces local ordinances. Which exact steps apply depends on the chosen legal form - for example monotributista, autónomo, SRL, SA or SAS - and on the activity, location and size of the business.
Even for simple registrations, legal advice helps avoid mistakes that later become costly. Common reasons to hire a lawyer include:
- Choosing the right legal structure to limit liability and optimize taxes and formalities.
- Drafting and reviewing constitutive documents - articles of incorporation, bylaws, shareholder or partner agreements.
- Ensuring proper notarization and filing with the correct public registry.
- Navigating municipal habilitation, zoning and special permits for regulated activities - for example food, health, construction or environmental permits.
- Advising on labour and commercial compliance when you plan to hire staff or sign commercial contracts.
- Handling foreign ownership issues, nominee or fiscal representation requirements for non-residents.
- Resolving disputes between partners or dealing with creditor claims and insolvency matters.
Key legal aspects to keep in mind in Vicente López include:
- Legal forms and formation: Argentina offers individual entrepreneurship structures like autónomo or monotributo and corporate forms like Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada - SRL, Sociedad Anónima - SA and Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada - SAS. Formalities and minimum capital vary by type. Some entities require a public deed and registration with the provincial commercial registry.
- Tax registration: All businesses must obtain a CUIT from AFIP and select an appropriate tax regime - monotributo or Responsable Inscripto for VAT and income tax. Businesses operating in Buenos Aires province must register for the provincial turnover tax - commonly referred to as Ingresos Brutos - with the provincial tax authority.
- Municipal habilitation and zoning: The municipality issues a commercial habilitation required to operate a business at a given address. This process checks land use zoning, safety, hygiene and municipal tax obligations. Specific inspections or certificates from fire authority or health authorities may be required depending on the activity.
- Labour and social security obligations: Hiring employees triggers registration with AFIP for payroll contributions, ART insurance for workplace risks and compliance with labour laws and collective bargaining agreements where applicable.
- Ongoing compliance: Companies have recurring obligations such as bookkeeping, tax filings, shareholder meeting minutes, updates to the public registry when changes occur, and municipal and provincial tax payments. Failure to comply can block registrations and produce fines.
Consider liability exposure, number of partners, capital needs, expected turnover, tax treatment and administrative burden. Sole proprietorships and monotributo are simpler for small activities. SRL and SA provide limited liability and are typical for medium and larger businesses. SAS offers a simplified structure for startups and small companies. An accountant and lawyer can help you model tax and liability outcomes and pick the best option.
Typical documents include identity documents of founders (DNI or passport), proof of address, the constitutive act or bylaws, certificate of name reservation if applicable, notarized public deed when required, and a registered fiscal address. You will also need to obtain CUIT at AFIP and enroll in the corresponding tax regimes. Municipal habilitation requires additional documents like a cadastral certificate, proof of property or lease, and technical or safety plans when applicable.
It depends on the legal form. SRL and SA normally require a public deed before a notary and registration with the provincial public registry. SAS in many cases can be formed through an online simplified procedure without a notarial deed, although specific formalities still apply. A lawyer will confirm whether notarization is required for your chosen entity and prepare the required documentation.
CUIT is issued by AFIP. You or your legal representative must register the business, select the tax regime - monotributo or Responsable Inscripto - and enroll for VAT and income tax where required. You will also need to register with ANSES for social security contributions if you hire employees, and with the provincial tax authority for Ingresos Brutos. An accountant typically guides these steps and helps choose the appropriate tax category.
The municipality issues a commercial habilitation to operate at a particular address. Requirements depend on the activity and location and may include zoning clearance, safety and hygiene certificates, construction or occupancy permits, and inspections by municipal technicians. Regulated activities such as food services, health services or industrial activities usually need additional permits and periodic inspections.
Timing varies by entity type and complexity. A basic monotributo registration and municipal habilitation can be completed in a few days to a few weeks if documentation is complete. Forming an SRL or SA that requires notarization and registration with the public registry usually takes several weeks. Delays commonly occur due to incomplete documentation, zoning issues, or backlogs at municipal or registry offices.
Yes. Foreigners may form companies in Argentina, but they must comply with identification and tax rules. Non-resident founders often need a passport, a local tax representative or fiscal address and may be required to register with AFIP. Some steps are simplified if founders obtain an Argentinian tax ID. Legal advice is recommended to ensure compliance with foreign investment and tax rules.
Costs include notary and registration fees for entities that require a public deed, municipal habilitation fees, professional fees for lawyers and accountants, taxes and contributions, and possible costs for technical plans, inspections and adjustments to premises. The total varies widely by entity type, sector and physical premises. Ask for a written fee estimate from professionals before starting.
Hiring employees triggers registration for payroll contributions with AFIP, registration with ART for workplace risks, compliance with minimum wage and working hours regulations, proper employment contracts, and adherence to social security and severance rules. You must also withhold and remit payroll taxes and social contributions on a monthly basis. Labour law in Argentina is protective, so correct registration and record-keeping are essential.
Material changes usually require formal resolutions from partners or shareholders and must be recorded in meeting minutes and in an amendment to the bylaws. Many changes must be notarized and filed with the provincial public registry. Municipal authorities must be notified of address changes and a new municipal habilitation may be required. Legal counsel can draft the required documentation and manage filings to avoid registration errors.
Useful public bodies and professional organizations to consult include:
- Municipalidad de Vicente López - municipal office responsible for commercial habilitations and local permits.
- Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos - AFIP - national tax and social security authority for CUIT, VAT, and payroll registrations.
- Agencia de Recaudación de la Provincia de Buenos Aires - ARBA - provincial tax authority for Ingresos Brutos and provincial obligations.
- Registro Público de Comercio de la Provincia de Buenos Aires - for registration of companies in the province.
- Ministerio de Trabajo - for labour regulations and employment-related obligations.
- Colegio de Escribanos de la Provincia de Buenos Aires - for notary-related procedures.
- Colegio Profesional de Ciencias Económicas - for qualified accountants who handle tax registrations and ongoing tax compliance.
- Local Colegio de Abogados (for example Colegio de Abogados de San Isidro) - to verify and consult with lawyers experienced in commercial and municipal practice.
- Municipal and provincial consumer protection offices - where applicable for regulated commercial activities and consumer relations.
If you need legal assistance for business registration in Vicente López, follow this practical roadmap:
- Prepare basic information - business name ideas, description of activity, proposed address, names and ID of founders, estimated turnover and projected hiring needs.
- Consult an accountant to model tax scenarios - monotributo versus Responsable Inscripto, VAT and income tax implications, and provincial Ingresos Brutos exposure.
- Contact a local lawyer with experience in company formation and municipal procedures. Ask about experience with businesses in Vicente López, typical timelines and a written fee estimate. Verify credentials with the local bar association.
- Check municipal zoning and the need for special permits before signing leases or buying property. Request a preliminary consultation at the municipality to learn specific local requirements for your activity and address.
- Assemble required documents and proceed with CUIT registration at AFIP. Simultaneously start municipal habilitation procedures if you have a fixed address.
- Execute constitutive documents, complete notarization if required and file with the appropriate public registry. Keep copies of all filings and receipts.
- Maintain a compliance calendar - tax filings, social security payments, registry filings and municipal license renewals. Discuss ongoing services with your accountant and lawyer for regular compliance support.
If you prefer, schedule an initial meeting with a lawyer who can provide a tailored checklist and an action plan based on your specific project and location in Vicente López. Early legal and accounting advice saves time and reduces the risk of unexpected restrictions or fines.
