Stock Company (SpA)
Sociedad por Acciones
Company formation in Chile
The SpA is best suited for: Foreign investors entering South America via the most stable economy, Startups and tech companies raising venture capital, Mining and natural resource companies, Companies targeting the Southern Cone market (Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay), Single-founder businesses seeking a flexible corporate structure, Companies leveraging Chile's 65 free trade agreements for international trade. Chile applies a 27% corporate income tax (First Category Tax — Impuesto de Primera Categoría) under the general Semi-Integrated Regime. Under this regime, shareholders receive a 65% credit for corporate taxes paid when dividends are distributed. The SME regime (Régimen Pro-Pyme) offers a 25% rate for companies with annual revenue up to 75,000 UF (~$3 million) with full integration (100% credit). VAT (IVA) is 19% on goods and services. Withholding tax on dividends to non-residents is 35% (less the 65% corporate tax credit under the Semi-Integrated Regime, resulting in an effective additional tax of ~9.45%). Chile has OECD-aligned transfer pricing rules and a CFC regime.
- Foreign investors entering South America via the most stable economy
- Startups and tech companies raising venture capital
- Mining and natural resource companies
- Companies targeting the Southern Cone market (Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay)
- Single-founder businesses seeking a flexible corporate structure
- Companies leveraging Chile's 65 free trade agreements for international trade
Key Facts
Step-by-Step Formation Process
Draft the Articles of Incorporation (Estatutos)
The SpA articles are drafted as a private document or a public deed. Since 2013, the Empresa en un Día (Company in a Day) online portal allows fully digital formation. The articles must include the company name (ending in "SpA"), registered address, business purpose, capital structure, share classes, and governance rules. The SpA allows extensive customisation of share rights and governance.
Register through Empresa en un Día or with the notary and Commercial Registry
Chile's Empresa en un Día portal (empresaenundia.cl) allows fully online company formation — articles are signed with the Chilean electronic signature (Clave Única) and automatically registered with the Commercial Registry and published in the Diario Oficial. Alternatively, articles can be executed before a notary and filed manually with the Conservador de Bienes Raíces (Commercial Registry).
Obtain the RUT (tax ID) from the SII
Register with the Servicio de Impuestos Internos (SII) to obtain the RUT (Rol Único Tributario). If formed through Empresa en un Día, the RUT is assigned automatically during registration. For manual formations, the legal representative must register with the SII online or in person. Request the start-of-activities declaration (Inicio de Actividades).
Open a corporate bank account
Open a corporate account at a Chilean bank (Banco de Chile, BancoEstado, Santander Chile, Scotiabank Chile). The RUT and registration certificate are required. Foreign-owned companies typically need to provide apostilled identification documents and proof of the legal representative's authority.
Complete post-formation regulatory compliance
Obtain a municipal business licence (patente municipal) from the municipality where the company operates. Register for electronic invoicing with the SII (mandatory). If hiring employees, register with the AFP (pension), FONASA/Isapre (health), and the labour authority.
Required Documents
- Certified passport copy and proof of address of each shareholder
- Articles of Incorporation (Estatutos)
- RUT of the company (obtained during registration)
- Power of Attorney if shareholder cannot appear in person (apostilled and legalised)
- Proof of registered office address in Chile
- Foreign investment registration with the Central Bank (for investments over USD 5 million)
Cost Overview
Tax Treatment
Chile applies a 27% corporate income tax (First Category Tax — Impuesto de Primera Categoría) under the general Semi-Integrated Regime. Under this regime, shareholders receive a 65% credit for corporate taxes paid when dividends are distributed. The SME regime (Régimen Pro-Pyme) offers a 25% rate for companies with annual revenue up to 75,000 UF (~$3 million) with full integration (100% credit). VAT (IVA) is 19% on goods and services. Withholding tax on dividends to non-residents is 35% (less the 65% corporate tax credit under the Semi-Integrated Regime, resulting in an effective additional tax of ~9.45%). Chile has OECD-aligned transfer pricing rules and a CFC regime.
Pros & Cons
- South America's most stable and business-friendly economy — OECD member with strong institutions
- SpA allows single-shareholder formation with highly flexible governance and share classes
- Empresa en un Día online portal enables company formation in hours — one of the fastest in the world
- 27% CT is competitive for the region — lower than Colombia (35%), Brazil (34%), and Mexico (30%)
- 65 free trade agreements including US, EU, China, Japan — the most extensive FTA network in the world
- Transparent legal system and strong rule of law — lowest corruption in Latin America
- CPTPP membership provides Pacific Rim trade advantages
- Santiago is the financial hub for the Southern Cone
- Chilean peso (CLP) can be volatile, particularly during commodity cycles
- Domestic market is relatively small (19 million people) compared to Brazil or Mexico
- Copper dependence makes the macro economy sensitive to commodity prices
- Political landscape has been in flux since 2019 protests and constitutional reform debates
- Labour regulations are moderately protective — termination costs exist but are lower than Brazil
- Geographic isolation from major markets adds logistics costs for physical goods
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Get StartedThis content is educational and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always consult a qualified professional for your specific situation. Data last verified March 2026.