Since March, the province of Buenos Aires has implemented a new scheme for the payment of automobile tax, which modifies the frequency and payment methods for vehicle owners.The Collection Agency of the Province of Buenos Aires (ARBA) confirmed that the tax, traditionally bimonthly, will be settled every month.This change introduces the possibility of paying the patent in ten monthly installments, from March to December, or in a single annual payment.
The official decision responds to a strategy to facilitate taxpayers’ financial management.The executive director of ARBA, Cristian Girard, explained that the modification seeks to enable families to organize themselves better economically, since bimonthly billing used to concentrate payments and generate difficulties in the administration of the domestic budget.Starting in March, taxpayers will receive ten invoices, one per month, which distributes the tax burden more evenly throughout the year.Girard pointed out that the purpose is to alleviate the impact generated by the accumulation of two months in a single ballot.
The official explained that the implementation of the monthly payment required a technological modernization in the ARBA systems, a process that required time and updating of internal tools.Once operational capacity for this transition was achieved, the agency moved forward with the new schedule.In addition, he announced that the objective is to transfer this format to other taxes, such as real estate, in the near future.
The maturity schedule for 2026 has already been published and establishes that the first monthly installment and the annual payment option will be available starting March 10.The following maturities maintain fixed monthly dates: the second installment expires on April 9, the third on May 7, the fourth on June 9, the fifth on July 8, the sixth on August 11, the seventh on September 10, the eighth on October 9, the ninth on November 10 and the tenth on December 10.These dates allow for forecasting and ordering fiscal compliance throughout the period.
The monthly payment scheme does not modify the total amount of tax to be paid in the year.What changes is the frequency and way in which the obligation is presented, with the aim of making the impact on the family economy more predictable.According to Girard, the proposal had to wait until it had the necessary technological support, since the previous system did not allow for seamless monthly billing.
Regarding the calculation of the automobile tax, ARBA specified that the system in force for 2026 is based on a structure of progressive brackets and rates, based on the tax valuation of each vehicle, the type of use and parameters established in the 2026 Tax Law. Unlike previous years, the number of scales was reduced from fifteen to five, with the aim of simplifying the process and giving greater transparency to the taxpayer about the amount to pay.
The%20scale%20to%20determine%20the%20tax%20starts%20with%20a%20to%C3%ADquota%20of%201%%20sabout%20thevalue%20fiscal%20for%20veh%C3%ADcules%20up to%20$14,100,000.%20The%20second%20section,%20of%20$14,100,000a%20$18,700,000,%20sum%20a%20fixed%20quota%20of%20$141,000%20m%C3%A1s%20the%202%%20over%20the%20surplus%20of that%20amount.%20The%20third%20segment,%20of%20$18,700,000%20to%20$26,100,000,%20aplica%20a%20fixed quota%20of%20$233,000%20m%C3%A1s%20the%203%%20on%20the%20surplus.%20For%20valuees%20between%20$26,100,000%20and$53,900,000,%20the%20fixed quota%20rises%20to%20$455,000%20and%20the%20to%C3%ADquota,%20to%204%%20on%20thesurplus.%20Finally,%20for%20veh%C3%ADasses%20upper%20to%20$53,900,000;
This progressive system establishes that each percentage is applied only to the section that exceeds the minimum of each scale, so that those who own vehicles with a higher tax valuation pay higher amounts, but without the rate being applied to the total value of the vehicle.The new scales govern both private cars and other categories, as provided by the Tax Law 2026.
Regarding vehicles for commercial or work use, such as utility vehicles, pickups and work vans, there is the possibility of paying taxes under an alternative regime.To access this option, owners must prove that the vehicle is linked to an activity registered in Gross Income and provide the corresponding documentation, including the payment of Stamp Tax, when applicable.If the taxpayer does not comply with these requirements, the vehicle is included in the general regime, as if it were a private use.On the other hand, those who can prove the work destination of the vehicle have access to different rates, normally lower than those of the general regime.
The province of Buenos Aires manages the collection of the automobile tax during the first ten years of the vehicle’s age, as long as it is located in the Buenos Aires jurisdiction.After that period, the responsibility for collection passes to the local municipalities, which apply the same detramos and aliquots system established by provincial regulations.
To simplify tax compliance, ARBA enabled various payment channels: taxpayers can download the receipts digitally and pay online, using credit or debit cards, or using electronic codes generated by the system.These alternatives seek to reduce the need for in-person procedures and facilitate access to tax information.Tickets are available on official digital channels, with the possibility of printing or paying electronically from any enabled device.
In an interview with Radio Provincia, Cristian Girard maintained that “three out of four vehicle owners are going to pay nominally less than what they paid last year” for license fees.According to his explanation, during 2025 the automobile tax registered a significant increase because the legislature did not approve the tax law that year, which generated a mismatch between the valuations and the rates.Girard stressed that the problem arose due to the lack of adequate legislation and that the situation was corrected by 2026, after the approval of the project sent by the governor.The official clarified that the only exception corresponds to highly valued vehicles, which will continue to pay higher amounts compared to the previous year.
The provisions for the payment of the automobile license fee in the province of BuenosAires seek greater predictability for taxpayers, while simplifying the calculation structure and payment mechanisms.ARBA’s technological update and the early publication of the calendar allow users to organize their tax obligations sooner and access clear information on amounts and dates.
