Cash/effectivo, credit card, mercado pago 2026

[carride]

What was required to apply for #4, 5 & 6?

A DNI, FATCA declaration form and a USA W9 form. If not immediately when I opened the account, then sometime later. At least for #4 and #6. My US accountant knew what to do when filing each April.

Whatever you do, remember that the more you transact electronically and the greater the amounts you spend electronically, the more visible you become to ACRA.

Which is fine if you have decided to become a permanent resident. Paying taxes is already the assumed responsibility

 

[Alfred_Arnold]

Also worth mentioning: many cuevas accept USDT (TRC-20) and usually charge around 1.5% for cash pesos or dollars.

A DNI also enables cards that can be loaded with USDT and spendable as pesos at the point of sale.

 

[steveinbsas]

A DNI, FATCA declaration form and a USA W9 form. If not immediately when I opened the account, then sometime later...

...Which is fine if you have decided to become a permanent resident. Paying taxes is already the assumed responsibility

Only if your income subject to taxation exceeds the piso de ganancias, which mine never has in 20 years, as either a temporary or permanent resident.

Even new permanent residents who have met the income reqirements as prescribed by migraciones during their temporary residency are not automatically liable to pay income taxes.

Nonetheless, both permanent and temporary residents pay 21% IVA for all goods and services when using a debit or credit card as well as additional taxes on nafta and electricity, and some professional services l; even when paying in cash.

 

[carride]

Macro bank also has savings accounts for USD and pesos without any maintenance fees. Sign up and do most transactions in the app. Might need to go to physical location to complete the account sign up if the app errors intentionally because extranjero DNI

Caja de ahorro | Banco Macro

Abrí tu Caja de Ahorro en pesos y USD 100% gratis y online con Banco Macro. Comprá dólares, hacé plazos fijos y ahorrá con beneficios desde la App Macro.

hacetecliente.macro.com.ar

Highlights from scrolling down to the FAQ, which also explains this is different than a "Cuenta Gratuita Universal":

Yes, opening a savings account at Banco Macro is completely free. You can open your peso account for free and with no maintenance fees.

Yes, you can open your account in dollars and pesos for free. There are no maintenance fees for opening an account, allowing you to manage your savings and buy foreign currency through the app.

What requirements do I need to open a free savings account?

The main requirements are being over 18 years old and having a valid Argentine ID. You don't need to prove income or present a payslip to open a basic savings account.

How long does it take for the Debit Card to arrive?

Once you receive the email confirming your account registration, the physical card will arrive at your home address within 7 to 10 business days.

 

[GabrielT]

Transfer money in, both me and @carride (among others) have mentioned banks here. It's generally at the CCL rate, which used to be advantageous, now, not so much. You could do a simple SWIFT transfer to your account here, but some form-filling will be required, and there are limits. Otherwise, have someone mule the money in, there are services you can contact that will give you USD cash, if you want. It requires trust, on both sides, it's been good for me, I generally pay a 4% commission.

I'm not recommending anyone, due diligence is a must, but it's very do-able.

Is there any downside to transferring money from a foreign (US in my case) account to an Argentine bank account? We are in the process of moving to Argentina and although I’ve used WU many times in the past it was always for relatively short stays. Ideally I’d like to set up a system that doesn’t require me to go to a physical office to pick up large amounts of money every month. Is it feasible to transfer to a bank or Mercado Pago locally and then use that to pay for stuff in the country?

 

[steveinbsas]

Is there any downside to transferring money from a foreign (US in my case) account to an Argentine bank account?

The only downside to using Western Union to transfer money from a US bank account to an Argentine bank account is that there may be cheaper and faster services (Moneygram e.g.).

Nonetheless, since early 2000 I have only used Western Union to transfer money from a US bank account to my Argentine bank account...and have done so at least once evey month.

Ideally I’d like to set up a system that doesn’t require me to go to a physical office to pick up large amounts of money every month. Is it feasible to transfer to a bank or Mercado Pago locally and then use that to pay for stuff in the country?

You can start making the transfers online as soon as you have the Argentine bank account or a Pago Facil wallet. After you make the first Western Union transfer, either to a bank or PAGO FACIL wallet, you will be asked to complete at least two forms online (declaracion jurada and IRS form W9).

Then you can use either of the accounts to pay for "everything" in the country.

Other members may be able to add additional information.

 

[steveinbsas]

PS to my previous post:

I frequently transfer funds from my Argentine bank account into my Mercado Pago account and use it to buy eggs and chicken locally from a polloria that doesn't accept credit cards. I usually pay online from my house before going to pick up the eggs and chicken which are ready to be picked up when I arrive.

I don't think that it is possible to transfer funds directly into a Mercado Pago account using Western Union, but I've never tried to do that. I pay for all of my Mercado Libre purchases using my Mercado Pago Mastercard, which offers payment in tres cuotas sin interés...without paying a "jacked up" price, once you learn how to use the system to your advantage.

 

[GabrielT]

The only downside to using Western Union to transfer money from a US bank account to an Argentine bank account is that there may be cheaper and faster services (Moneygram e.g.).

Nonetheless, since early 2000 I have only used Western Union to transfer money from a US bank account to my Argentine bank account...and have done so at least once evey month.



You can start making the transfers online as soon as you have the Argentine bank account or a Pago Facil wallet. After you make the first Western Union transfer, either to a bank or PAGO FACIL wallet, you will be asked to complete at least two forms online (declaracion jurada and IRS form W9).

Then you can use either of the accounts to pay for "everything" in the country.

Other members may be able to add additional information.

any tax consequences from these transfers I should be aware of?

 

[Alby]

That will depend on your particular tax status in Argentina, and whether, if you are a tax resident, you do or do not want ACRA to know what money you are moving around. (If you haven't moved here yet, you probably aren't yet a tax resident, so there is probably little to worry about, for now.)

 

[GabrielT]

That will depend on your particular tax status in Argentina, and whether, if you are a tax resident, you do or do not want ACRA to know what money you are moving around. (If you haven't moved here yet, you probably aren't yet a tax resident, so there is probably little to worry about, for now.)

I was wondering if there’s some transfer tax for bringing money into the country that I didn’t know about