How to choose
Monotributo vs US LLC para freelancers argentinos
Last updated: August 2026
Para freelancers argentinos cobrando a clientes de USA, la decisión real no es "Monotributo o LLC", es cuál usar para qué cliente, y cómo stackearlos sin romper las reglas de AFIP. Acá va la comparación honesta. Esta no es asesoría fiscal específica, siempre consultá con un contador argentino antes de estructurar.
Bottom line
Si todos tus clientes son argentinos, Monotributo está perfecto, fue diseñado para eso. Si todos tus clientes son de USA o pagan en USD, una US LLC + Mercury te ahorra la brecha cambiaria (que es entre el 40% y el 60% en 2026). Si tenés ambos, el stack típico es Monotributo para AR + LLC para USA. En cualquier escenario con LLC: hablá con un contador argentino antes de estructurar, porque las reglas de AFIP sobre Sociedades del Exterior no son negras-y-blancas. BCA puede formar la LLC y armar Mercury + Wise + Stripe en USD 1,000 flat, pero la parte AFIP la maneja tu contador local, no nosotros.
Side-by-side
| Monotributo AFIP simplified regime for small Argentine taxpayers | US LLC + Mercury Receive USD at par, manage the tax exposure separately | Both stacked Monotributo for AR clients, LLC for US clients | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Argentina-resident simplified taxpayer regime, pays a flat monthly amount, no separate VAT or income tax filings | Wyoming or Delaware LLC owned by you personally; bills US clients in USD; holds USD in Mercury | Run both: Monotributo handles Argentine peso-denominated clients, LLC handles US-dollar-denominated clients |
| Revenue cap | Roughly ARS 92M/year (Category K, 2026), at official rate ~USD 75k, at blue rate ~USD 40k | None | Monotributo cap still applies to AR-side revenue only |
| Currency received | Pesos argentinos (ARS) at the official rate when foreign currency is received | USD at par. No official-rate conversion | Mixed, ARS for AR clients, USD for US clients |
| Loss to brecha cambiaria (peso gap) | High, typically 40·60% loss vs blue/MEP rate when USD is converted via AFIP | Zero on USD revenue. Conversion to ARS only if and when you decide to move money to Argentina. | Zero on US revenue; standard on AR revenue |
| Works for US clients? | Yes, but each USD invoice is converted at official rate by your bank | Native, US clients pay your US LLC, no extra forms | US clients pay the LLC; AR clients pay you as Monotributista |
| Argentine tax treatment | Flat monthly fee covers income tax + VAT + social security | You remain an Argentine resident. AFIP still expects you to declare worldwide income; treaty does not exist. Talk to a contador BEFORE deploying this. | Monotributo covers AR revenue. LLC revenue must still be declared to AFIP as worldwide income. But you defer ARS conversion until you actually move money |
| USD banking access | Argentine peso accounts; USD savings limited by controls | Mercury (US business bank) + Wise + Stripe, full USD stack | Argentine bank (ARS via Monotributo) + Mercury / Wise / Stripe (USD via LLC) |
| AFIP CFC rules apply? | Not applicable, you ARE the Argentine taxpayer | Yes, AFIP may treat the LLC as a Sociedad del Exterior under Rentas de Tercera categoría / CFC-style rules. Single-member LLC is generally treated transparently, but the rules are not clean. | Same as US LLC alone, depends on how AFIP treats the LLC. Contador opinion required. |
What each option actually fits
Monotributo
AFIP simplified regime for small Argentine taxpayers
Monotributo is the right tool for Argentine clients and small-scale freelance work entirely inside Argentina. For USD-paying US clients, the brecha cambiaria (gap between official and blue rates) is the brutal cost, you receive 40·60% less than the headline USD amount.
US LLC + Mercury
Receive USD at par, manage the tax exposure separately
A US LLC lets you receive USD at par from US clients. No brecha cambiaria, no AFIP-rate conversion. The trade-off is the AFIP layer: you are still an Argentine tax resident and AFIP expects worldwide income to be declared. Most Argentine contadores treat the single-member LLC transparently (like a sole proprietorship) for AFIP, but the law is not airtight. Get a contador opinion BEFORE you form the LLC.
Both stacked
Monotributo for AR clients, LLC for US clients
The most common stack for Argentine freelancers with mixed AR + US clientele. Monotributo continues to do what it was built for (small AR-denominated revenue, simple). The US LLC handles USD revenue at par. The risk surface is the same as the US LLC alone, AFIP wants worldwide income reported regardless.
The honest take
So which one?
Si todos tus clientes son argentinos, Monotributo está perfecto, fue diseñado para eso. Si todos tus clientes son de USA o pagan en USD, una US LLC + Mercury te ahorra la brecha cambiaria (que es entre el 40% y el 60% en 2026). Si tenés ambos, el stack típico es Monotributo para AR + LLC para USA. En cualquier escenario con LLC: hablá con un contador argentino antes de estructurar, porque las reglas de AFIP sobre Sociedades del Exterior no son negras-y-blancas. BCA puede formar la LLC y armar Mercury + Wise + Stripe en USD 1,000 flat, pero la parte AFIP la maneja tu contador local, no nosotros.
See the canonical BCA service page →Common questions
¿Es legal que un Monotributista argentino tenga una LLC en Estados Unidos? +
Sí, formar una LLC en USA como argentino es legal. Lo que requiere atención es cómo declararla a AFIP. AFIP espera que declares todo ingreso mundial. Para una LLC unimembre, la mayoría de los contadores la tratan transparentemente (como si fueras vos cobrando directo), pero la ley no es 100% clara. Buscá una opinión escrita de un contador antes de empezar a operar.
¿Cómo evito la brecha cambiaria recibiendo en USD? +
Una LLC en Estados Unidos + cuenta Mercury te permite recibir USD sin pasarlos por el sistema bancario argentino. Los dólares quedan en Mercury en USD. Cuando querés convertir a pesos, decidís vos el momento, vía Wise, MEP, o el canal que te convenga. No estás obligado a pasarlos por el dólar oficial.
¿BCA forma la LLC para argentinos? ¿Cuánto cuesta? +
Sí. USD 1,000 all-in que incluye LLC + EIN + Wise + Mercury + Stripe + registered agent año 1. Renovación USD 1,000/año flat (incluye annual report + Form 5472 + BOI + RA). El asesoramiento AFIP queda con tu contador argentino. BCA no da asesoría fiscal argentina específica.
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