Argentina has terrible taxes! I think until they get rid of it they can't meaningfully improve.
Like other industrialists, Jesica Lemos referred to the tax burden and the difficulties it entails. She also mentioned how much her sales had increased following the controversy generated weeks ago around the price of a dozen.
Argentina's high tax burden and the comparison of local prices with those charged in other countries in the region were once again a topic of debate among national business leaders. In a new meeting organized by the creators of La Fábrica Podcast , several industrial leaders from the country discussed the current problems their companies are facing and focused on the tax burden, highlighting that locally manufactured products cost less in neighboring countries than in the Argentine market. Tax simplification was also discussed.
In this regard, Claudio Drescher , president of the Argentine Chamber of the Apparel Industry (CIAI), explained that the cost difference is evident even when exporting to nearby destinations: "Exporting to Chile costs 6-7%, yet it sells for less there. What costs up to 100 here sells for 85 in Chile because it doesn't have the financial cost of quotas, because there's less VAT, less Gross Income, and no check tax. And because the financial cost is 8% instead of 35% in current terms.”
This is an issue that Orlando Canido , owner of Manaus, had already highlighted : “A bottle of soda that costs $1,000 to the consumer, for example, could be sold for $480, if it weren't for the taxes.”
At the same time, Drescher complained that taxes have been removed from imported products, while remaining in place for domestically manufactured goods. "We need to integrate into the world in a much smarter way than we are doing now," he said.
For his part, Dante Choi , owner of Peabody, focused on the complexity of the tax collection and holding system, especially at the provincial level. "I agree that each province, if it wants to collect through Gross Income, should do so. But what needs to end in this country is the perverse system of collection and withholding. It can't be that for every sale you make, all the provinces withhold taxes; you have to pay three, four, or five times," he criticized. Another problem is that “the rates are very high, and we end up working for the banks,” which limits investment.
Regarding the opening of imports, he stated: "Deregulation is good, but anything is coming in." "The State has no police power, and it's detrimental to consumers," he said, while asserting that products are being imported that are "unsafe and harmful to human health."
For her part, Jesica Lemos , owner of Empanadas Mi Gusto, explained: "The health and safety tax varies greatly depending on the municipality. In one municipality, it might be 0.6%, which is fine, but in another, it might be double that. In addition, other taxes appear, such as a specific fuel tax or various municipal contributions that seem arbitrary. You think, 'Wait, let's give a hand and unify things.' Because settling all those taxes ends up being a headache.”
"It would be good to work together to unify criteria. For example, at the national level we pay VAT, which could drop from 21% to 10.5%, but then provincial gross revenues increase, and ultimately we remain at the same rate," he added.
He also considered that reducing the tax burden "would be very helpful because we're really hard hit. I understand there's a lot of work to be done because they didn't find a healthy country and we were sort of forgotten, but I have hope that at some point they'll listen to us."
Furthermore, the entrepreneur, who has plans to expand to neighboring countries, the US, and Spain, explained that the controversy over the price of a dozen empanadas, which sparked disagreements between Ricardo Darín and the government, increased sales by 20%. She explained that the price is $41,600 and that there are discounts on certain days.
It's worth remembering that the actor had complained that a dozen empanadas cost 48,000 pesos to illustrate rising food prices, which prompted an immediate and critical response from Economy Minister Luis Caputo . "What Darín did is terrible, a surprise. He's a guy I appreciate, but it made me feel a little embarrassed. He tried to act national and popular, and said something stupid that they're still using on social media," the official stated.
Ivana Cavigliasso , director of Prodeman, explained that in Europe, the higher the added value, the higher the tariff rate. "They take care of their industry," she emphasized.
Canido had issued a strong criticism in this regard: "Unfortunately, we are somewhat orphaned by the government. We are punished with heavy taxes, a lot of persecution, and a lot of control with constant inspections. I see, for example, when I go to the United States, the support they give to entrepreneurs there; they accompany them, help them, and push them forward. In Europe, it's the same; it's respected."
https://www.infobae.com/economia/2025/06/30/las-empanadas-de-darin-que-dijo-la-duena-de-la-reconocida-cadena-sobre-la-presion-impositiva-de-la-argentina/
Darín's empanadas: the chain's owner spoke about the tax burden and explained how much her sales have increased.
Like other industrialists, Jesica Lemos referred to the tax burden and the difficulties it entails. She also mentioned how much her sales had increased following the controversy generated weeks ago around the price of a dozen.
Argentina's high tax burden and the comparison of local prices with those charged in other countries in the region were once again a topic of debate among national business leaders. In a new meeting organized by the creators of La Fábrica Podcast , several industrial leaders from the country discussed the current problems their companies are facing and focused on the tax burden, highlighting that locally manufactured products cost less in neighboring countries than in the Argentine market. Tax simplification was also discussed.
In this regard, Claudio Drescher , president of the Argentine Chamber of the Apparel Industry (CIAI), explained that the cost difference is evident even when exporting to nearby destinations: "Exporting to Chile costs 6-7%, yet it sells for less there. What costs up to 100 here sells for 85 in Chile because it doesn't have the financial cost of quotas, because there's less VAT, less Gross Income, and no check tax. And because the financial cost is 8% instead of 35% in current terms.”
This is an issue that Orlando Canido , owner of Manaus, had already highlighted : “A bottle of soda that costs $1,000 to the consumer, for example, could be sold for $480, if it weren't for the taxes.”
At the same time, Drescher complained that taxes have been removed from imported products, while remaining in place for domestically manufactured goods. "We need to integrate into the world in a much smarter way than we are doing now," he said.
For his part, Dante Choi , owner of Peabody, focused on the complexity of the tax collection and holding system, especially at the provincial level. "I agree that each province, if it wants to collect through Gross Income, should do so. But what needs to end in this country is the perverse system of collection and withholding. It can't be that for every sale you make, all the provinces withhold taxes; you have to pay three, four, or five times," he criticized. Another problem is that “the rates are very high, and we end up working for the banks,” which limits investment.
Regarding the opening of imports, he stated: "Deregulation is good, but anything is coming in." "The State has no police power, and it's detrimental to consumers," he said, while asserting that products are being imported that are "unsafe and harmful to human health."
For her part, Jesica Lemos , owner of Empanadas Mi Gusto, explained: "The health and safety tax varies greatly depending on the municipality. In one municipality, it might be 0.6%, which is fine, but in another, it might be double that. In addition, other taxes appear, such as a specific fuel tax or various municipal contributions that seem arbitrary. You think, 'Wait, let's give a hand and unify things.' Because settling all those taxes ends up being a headache.”
"It would be good to work together to unify criteria. For example, at the national level we pay VAT, which could drop from 21% to 10.5%, but then provincial gross revenues increase, and ultimately we remain at the same rate," he added.
He also considered that reducing the tax burden "would be very helpful because we're really hard hit. I understand there's a lot of work to be done because they didn't find a healthy country and we were sort of forgotten, but I have hope that at some point they'll listen to us."
Furthermore, the entrepreneur, who has plans to expand to neighboring countries, the US, and Spain, explained that the controversy over the price of a dozen empanadas, which sparked disagreements between Ricardo Darín and the government, increased sales by 20%. She explained that the price is $41,600 and that there are discounts on certain days.
It's worth remembering that the actor had complained that a dozen empanadas cost 48,000 pesos to illustrate rising food prices, which prompted an immediate and critical response from Economy Minister Luis Caputo . "What Darín did is terrible, a surprise. He's a guy I appreciate, but it made me feel a little embarrassed. He tried to act national and popular, and said something stupid that they're still using on social media," the official stated.
Ivana Cavigliasso , director of Prodeman, explained that in Europe, the higher the added value, the higher the tariff rate. "They take care of their industry," she emphasized.
Canido had issued a strong criticism in this regard: "Unfortunately, we are somewhat orphaned by the government. We are punished with heavy taxes, a lot of persecution, and a lot of control with constant inspections. I see, for example, when I go to the United States, the support they give to entrepreneurs there; they accompany them, help them, and push them forward. In Europe, it's the same; it's respected."
https://www.infobae.com/economia/2025/06/30/las-empanadas-de-darin-que-dijo-la-duena-de-la-reconocida-cadena-sobre-la-presion-impositiva-de-la-argentina/
