For businesses paying independent contractors in Argentina
Best payment methods for Argentine contractors:
Key requirements:
Argentina has a highly skilled tech workforce and competitive rates, but unique economic challenges. If you're hiring contractors in Argentina, you need to understand:
| Method | Cost | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | $4-$10 | 1-3 days | Regular payments, best exchange rates |
| PayPal | $6-$15 | Instant | Widely accepted, instant transfers |
| Payoneer | $5-$12 | 1-3 days | Popular with Argentine freelancers |
| Cryptocurrency | $2-$10 | Minutes-hours | Avoiding currency controls, tech-savvy contractors |
| Bank Transfer | $20-$50 | 3-7 days | Large amounts, traditional method |
Why Wise is best for Argentina payments:
Currency is the most critical consideration when paying Argentine contractors due to extreme ARS volatility and inflation.
Unlike other countries where currency preference varies, Argentine contractors almost universally prefer USD due to:
Important: Always pay Argentine contractors in USD unless they specifically request ARS (which is rare). Paying in ARS can result in significant value loss for the contractor due to inflation and devaluation.
Argentine contractors need either a CUIT or CUIL tax identification number.
AFIP (Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos) is Argentina's tax authority.
Important: As a foreign company paying an Argentine contractor, you typically don't have tax withholding obligations in Argentina. The contractor handles their own AFIP compliance. Consult with a tax professional for your specific situation.
Problem: Contractor loses significant value due to inflation and devaluation.
Solution: Always pay in USD unless contractor specifically requests ARS (which is rare).
Problem: Contractor may have difficulty accessing USD due to government restrictions.
Solution: Use Wise or PayPal which allow contractors to hold USD in their accounts. Some contractors use crypto to avoid restrictions.
Problem: Traditional wire transfers cost $20-$50 with poor exchange rates.
Solution: Use Wise or PayPal to save 60-80% on fees.
Problem: Economic instability can affect contractor availability and rates.
Solution: Build strong relationships, pay in USD, and be understanding of economic challenges contractors face.
Despite economic challenges, Argentina offers significant advantages:
Kontrable is built specifically for managing international contractors:
A: Always USD unless the contractor specifically requests ARS (which is rare). ARS has high inflation and devaluation, so contractors strongly prefer USD.
A: Argentina has restrictions on USD access (cepo cambiario). Using Wise or PayPal allows contractors to receive and hold USD, avoiding these restrictions.
A: No. EOR is for employees. Argentine contractors handle their own AFIP tax compliance. You just need a good payment method (Wise) and contractor management tool (Kontrable).
A: Some Argentine contractors prefer crypto (especially stablecoins like USDC) to avoid currency controls. However, Wise and PayPal are more mainstream and easier for most contractors.
A: Wise offers the lowest fees ($4-$10) and best exchange rates. PayPal is also popular but has higher fees ($6-$15). Both allow contractors to hold USD.
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