If you’re considering hiring an independent contractor to support a specialized project, Argentina is a promising option for finding these individuals. With a diverse workforce equipped to address different industry needs, the country offers a range of opportunities for companies seeking qualified contractors.
Implement a strategic approach to hiring the right contractors for your company and support your business with the necessary expertise.
Hiring independent contractors in Argentina
Before you hire independent contractors to complete specific projects, you’ll need to know a few critical details about how the process works.
Independent contractors vs. full-time employees
The main difference between employees and independent contractors is how they function in your company, and whether they are in a subordinate position. Rather than being a part of your organization, contractors serve as their own independent business providing a service to you. They are self-employed, do not receive employee benefits, and have freedom regarding how and when they perform their services.
Penalties for misclassification
You must correctly classify your employees and contractors to protect your company from potential lawsuits, fines, and other penalties. If the Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Seguridad Social (MTEySS), or the Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos (AFIP) determine that your company has misclassified an employee as a contractor, you may be required to pay all outstanding social security contributions that the contractor, now employee, was entitled to over their duration of service.
How to hire independent contractors in Argentina
Implementing strategic practices can help you find independent contractors who best fit your company’s project needs. Whatever projects independent contractors are completing for your company, the hiring process should involve three key steps.
1. Carefully conduct interviews.
Independent contractors in Argentina may offer specialized skill sets and project experience. As you consider potential professionals to work with, conduct your interactions as a business-to-business engagement. Talk with contractors in the interview process about relevant information such as projects they’ve completed in the past, available services they offer, and current certifications they hold.
2. Create a service agreement.
You must ensure both parties understand the terms of your business agreement. The law in Argentina does not require that you create a formal written contract, but it’s still best practice to create a contract, outlining the terms in writing, including:
- Pay rates and arrangements.
- Length of the contract.
- Scope of services the contractor will provide.
- Termination conditions.
- Nondisclosure agreements (NDAs), if needed.
3. Know how to work with independent contractors.
An important step in engaging the services of independent contractors is understanding how to work with them. Independent contractors should not receive the level of control or supervision that employees do – they are generally free to perform the work according to their own schedule and methods.
How to pay independent contractors in Argentina
Contractors based in Argentina must file their own taxes and pay for their own social security. You do not have an additional responsibility to cover benefits contributions for them. However, you are responsible for providing consistent compensation as agreed upon in your contract. Consider any restrictions regarding international payment processing.
Terminating independent contractors
Generally, a contractor’s working terms will conclude on a set date or operate on a project-by-project basis. Termination cases are typically straightforward because you and the independent contractor are free to set your own terms for ending or extending the contract. At the same time, it’s best practice to detail termination protocol in your contract. That way, you can address any conflicts that might arise with a contractor without legal complications.
Turn to G-P when hiring independent contractors in Argentina.
As a part of our #1 suite of global employment products, G-P Contractor allows companies to hire and pay global contractors faster, with self-service workflows and a wide set of flexible payment options. Whether you’re hiring employees or contractors, our platform streamlines the process with a single solution for your global workforce.
Contact us to learn more.
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THIS INFORMATION IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE. You should always consult with and rely on your own legal and/or tax advisor(s). G-P does not provide legal or tax advice and the information is not tailored to the specific situations of your company or your workforce. G-P makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of this information. G-P shall have no liability arising out of, or in connection with, the information, including any loss caused by use of, or reliance on, the information.