To avoid taxes, travel agencies allow payment in dollars

Travel agencies have made it possible to charge the payment for tourist services abroad in dollars thanks to the savings that this method entails. Major companies in the industry have launched this option for their customers to avoid taxes on the tourist dollar and pay up to 40% cheaper flights, hotels, packages and excursions.

In December, General Resolution 5463/2023 of the Federal Public Revenue Administration (AFIP) established a tax reduction from 155% to 60% for foreign travel. Since then, a fee of 30% for the NATIONAL tax it’s a 30% for the Advance Earnings.

However, currently, It is recommended that you pay for your ticket directly in US currency: cash, wire transfer, deposit, debit card (with dollars in the account) or credit (after closing and before expiration) for the difference between the parallel fee ($1,005) and the MEP ($1,020) compared to the tourist ($1,419).

Taking into account that the Central Bank (BCRA) does not allow agencies to debit directly in US currency with a credit card, in addition to the fact that the systems are not adapted to do so, some agencies like Despegar refer the user to the version of their platform in another country, such as Peru. Others accept, for the moment, cash, bank transfer or deposit only.

“It is essential to accompany travelers and provide them with the best payment methods. Currently, purchasing packages, flights and accommodation in dollars is the most convenient option for those wishing to travel abroad allows you to save up to 40% without the PAIS tax and perceptions,” Despegar said.

“For this reason we offer the possibility of paying in dollars by bank transfer and credit card. Soon, The option to do it in cash will be enabled at any of our eight branches. Our priority is for customers to find the easiest, most convenient and economical way to travel,” said the company, which already has physical stores in Alcorta Shopping, Unicenter, Tortugas Open Mall (TOM), Devoto Shopping and Alto Avellaneda .

To pay with credit, Despegar advises travelers configure the stop debit if your card is linked to automatic debit, and by the expiration date, make sure you have enough dollars to pay the statement. “With wire transfer the process is simpler, as a payment voucher is generated and consumers can pay directly from home banking,” explains Despegar.

CVC Corp – the Brazilian group that owns Almundo, Avantrip, Biblos and Ola Mayorista – has also allowed cash payment in the 126 stores that the Almundo brand owns in the country (two of its own and 124 franchised). “We are finishing the development of the transfer systemto have it ready this month”, anticipated Diego García, general manager of the holding’s local branch.

Savings on flights

For its part, TurismoCity now offers the possibility of seeing prices in dollars and choosing between agencies and airlines that charge in this currency, by activating the payment search filter in dollars. “Foreign rates can be exchanged into dollarswhen viewing travel dates from the site,” noted Julian Gurfinkiel, chief marketing officer (CMO) and co-founder of the platform.

The specialist advises try the exchange to compare prices. “If we do a quick count and multiply by the European Parliament dollar, we see that a flight to Miami, with checked baggage, costing $620,000 saves almost $200,000,” he exemplified.

“The search engine will refer to sites where payment is made in dollars. In this way, it is paid in US currency from the savings bank, from the MEP or in cash at the bank counter, worth approximately $1,000 and Additional taxes of 60% are avoided. that they would charge with a dollar card of $1,400,” he explained.

For its part, Atrápalo has also added the option of direct purchase in dollars. “It’s an alternative, since involves the evasion of the Country Tax and RG 4815, saving the difference between the card dollar and the MEP dollar. Whether through our phone line, WhatsApp, email or in stores, you can pay in dollars for flights, hotels, packages, cruises, car rentals and more,” explained Martín Romano, founder and CEO of Atrápalo.

“We hope it will be available soon the credit card payment option. This will result in an important advantage for passengers both in terms of savings and convenience at the time of purchase”, underlined the owner of the company with more than branches in Argentina.