Income Tax Brackets In Chile: Explained

Deciphering income tax brackets in Chile can feel like trying to crack an enigmatic code without the Rosetta Stone, right? Don’t Worry! We’ve got your back!
Understanding this fiscal puzzle is crucial for anyone earning under the Southern Cross, from the sun-kissed vineyards to the snow-capped Andes. Our guide illuminates the path through Chile’s tax labyrinth, ensuring you pay your fair share while maximizing your financial health.
Let’s dive in!
What Are Tax Classеs In Chile?

Personal Income Tax
- Chile operates a progressive tax system for individuals, meaning that tax rates increase as income levels rise.
- As of my last update, there were several tax brackets with corresponding tax rates ranging from 0% to 40%.
- Income tax is typically withheld by employers from employee salaries, but individuals with additional sources of income may need to file an annual tax return to reconcile any under- or overpayment.
- Certain deductions and tax credits may be available to individuals, such as deductions for medical expenses, education expenses, and charitable contributions.
Corporate Income Tax
- Companies operating in Chile are subject to corporate income tax on their profits.
- The standard corporate tax rate is applied to taxable income, but there are also special tax regimes for certain industries or activities, such as mining or forestry.
- As of my last update, the standard corporate tax rate in Chile was around 27%, but this rate can vary depending on the size and nature of the company.
- Companies may also be subject to additional taxes or surcharges, such as the “First Category Tax” on net income.
Value Added Tax (VAT)
- Chile imposes a value-added tax (IVA) on most goods and services provided within its borders.
- The standard VAT rate in Chile was 19% as of my last update.
- Some goods and services may be exempt from VAT or subject to a reduced rate, such as basic food items, healthcare services, and exports.
Property Tax
- Property owners in Chile are subject to a tax on the value of their real estate holdings, known as “Contribuciones de Bienes Raíces” or property tax.
- The tax rate is determined based on the assessed value of the property and can vary depending on factors such as location and land use.
- Property tax is typically paid annually to the local municipality.
Excise Taxes
- Chile imposes excise taxes on certain goods, including alcohol, tobacco, fuels, and luxury items.
- Excise taxes are typically included in the retail price of the goods and are collected at the point of sale.
Stamp Duties
- Stamp duties are levied on certain legal documents and transactions in Chile, such as contracts, deeds, and loan agreements.
- The rate of stamp duty can vary depending on the type and value of the document or transaction.
Inheritance And Gift Tax
- Chile imposes taxes on inheritances and gifts, with different rates depending on the relationship between the donor and the recipient.
- As of my last update, spouses and direct descendants were typically subject to lower tax rates, while more distant relatives or non-relatives were subject to higher rates.
- There are also exemptions and deductions available for certain transfers, such as transfers of family homes or small businesses.
What Are The Main Taxes In Chile?

The main taxes in Chile are:
- Corporate Income Tax: Taxpayers can be organized into entities. The law allows for two options: “Attributed Income” and “Semi-Integrated Income”. Semi Integrated Income (Renta Semi Integrada) has a rate of 27%. The taxation of attributable income requires the entity to pay 25% and the owners or investors to pay the maximum rate of 35% by decreasing the 25% rate paid by the company as a credit. The tax obligation is fully completed in the year of receiving the benefits. In the case of “Semi-Integrated Income,” the company will pay 27% income tax in the year of receipt, while non-resident owners will pay 35% tax on the opportunity and year of remittance, with a credit of 17.55% (65% of the corporate rate of 27%).
- First Category Tax: This tax is paid by the entity receiving the benefit. It is charged at a 25% rate for taxpayers who have chosen Assigned Income (Renta Atribuida). To choose an Assigned Income regime, the company’s partners or shareholders must be exclusively natural individuals with a domicile or residence in Chile or persons without a domicile or residence in Chile (who may be natural or legal persons).
- Secondary Tax: This is a progressive tax on the total amount earned by an employee in the form of wages, salary, profit-sharing, or other compensation. The tax rate ranges from 0% to 35%.
- Value-Added Tax (VAT): The tax rate is 19%, which is assessed on the transaction price. When the price is clearly below the standard level, the IRS is authorized to assess it. In general, the following transactions are liable to VAT:
- Sales and other contracts in which the title to moveable objects is transferred, provided they are executed regularly.
- Services include commercial, industrial, financial, mining, construction, insurance, advertising, and data processing for various corporate activities.
- Stamp Tax: Stamp tax applies to all loan and credit papers, including bills of exchange, promissory notes, and letters of credit. The monthly rate is 0.066% of the document’s face value, with a maximum of 0.8%. If the document is payable on sight, the charge is 0.332%.
- Real Estate Tax: The tax is based on the fiscal valuation of the property. Real estate is taxed at a rate of 1% each year based on the tax assessment of the property.
Fiscal Declaration And General Obligations

Chilean enterprises must retain accounting records in both Spanish and Chilean pesos.
However, when certain requirements are reached, companies may request the Chilean IRS authorization to carry their accounting books in a foreign currency (US Dollar, Euro, and Canadian Dollar).
In case, the IRS authorizes the accounting records in a different currency, companies may also request to declare and pay their taxes in the same foreign currency.
- Fiscal Year: For legal businesses and individuals, the fiscal year is twelve months long and corresponds to the calendar year. However, certain companies started or stopped their operations after or before the conclusion of the year calendar. As a result, the start and closure dates must initially be January 1st and December 31st, respectively.
- Taxable Loss: Taxpayers may deduct from their taxable income the corresponding direct costs and expenses. It’s important to keep in consideration that expenses can only be deducted if they are relevant to the entity’s activity (“ordinary” expenses);
- They must be necessary to generate taxable income by entity, taking into account their nature and amount.
- Such expenses could not have previously been deducted as part of the company’s direct cost of products or services delivered.
- Expenses must be incurred within the relevant taxable period, whether paid or accumulated, and supported by proper evidence.
- Among others, Chilean Income Tax Law enables the following disbursements to be deducted as a tax expense:
- Interests.
- Certain taxes.
- Salaries.
- Depreciation.
- Losses.
- Donations.
- Double Taxation Treaty: Chile has signed double tax accords with several nations to avoid double taxation and tax evasion. Chile is a leading South American country with a double tax treaty due to its free trade policies.
In general, tax treaties involve the definition of residents, the allocation of taxation rights based on various incomes, tax rate restrictions, the elimination of double taxation, benefit limitations, information exchange, and mutual consultation.
Tax Rate
Under the Partially Integrated System (PIS) regime, shareholders or partners are taxed only on the actual distribution of dividends or profits by the firm. | 27% |
SMEs (sales up to USD 2,8 million approx.) full integration regime | 25% from 2023 (was 10% for years 2020–2022) |
Tax Rate For Residents And Non-Residents

Personal Income tax (employment income) | Progressive rates up to 40% The rate depends on the annual tax units (ATU), whose value in CLP is revalued each month. |
ATU 0-13.5 | Exempt |
ATU 13.5-30 | 4% |
ATU 30-50 | 8% |
ATU 50-70 | 13.5% |
ATU 70-90 | 23% |
ATU 90-120 | 30.4% |
ATU 120-310 | 35% |
Beyond ATU 310 | 40% |
How To Know Your Tax Class In Chile?

In Chile, your tax class is primarily determined by your personal or business circumstances, such as your residency status, employment status, income sources, and type of business entity.
To know your specific tax class and obligations in Chile, it’s advisable to consult with a tax professional or accountant who can assess your individual or business circumstances and provide personalized guidance based on current tax laws and regulations.
What Is The Income Tax In Chile?

Chile taxes its residents and those domiciled in Chile on their worldwide income. Foreign workers in Chile are only taxed on their Chilean-sourced income for the first three years, after which their worldwide income is taxed.
The personal income tax rate in Chile is 40%. Chile’s income tax rate averaged 39.29 percent from 2003 to 2023, with an all-time high of 40.00 percent in 2004 and a record low of 35.00 percent in 2017.
Chile’s income tax rates are divided into many tax brackets, with different rates applying to different income levels.
- 0% for income up to a certain threshold (tax-exempt income).
- 0.04% to 0.08% for income within the first tax bracket.
- 8% to 35% for income within subsequent tax brackets.
The specific tax rates within each bracket can vary based on factors such as marital status, dependents, and other deductions or credits.
Tax Rate For Foreign Companies

Resident companies are taxed on their worldwide income, but non-domiciled or non-resident companies are simply taxed on their Chilean income.
When final shareholders receive a taxable distribution, a 35% flat rate is levied as a withholding tax. In the SME regime, corporate income tax was fully creditable against the ultimate tax, while only 65% is in the partially integrated system.
Foreign owners of a partially integrated system firm who live in a jurisdiction with a double taxation treaty, however, are also entitled to full credit.
How To Reduce Your Tax In Chile?

Reducing taxes legally and ethically in Chile involves understanding the tax laws and taking advantage of available deductions, credits, and tax planning strategies. Here are some ways individuals and businesses can potentially reduce their tax liabilities in Chile:
- Maximize Deductions: Take advantage of deductions allowed by Chilean tax laws. Common deductions for individuals may include:
- Medical expenses.
- Education expenses.
- Donations to qualified charities.
- Mortgage interest payments.
- Contributions to a pension plan or retirement savings account.
- Utilize Tax Credits: Tax credits directly reduce the amount of tax owed, so it’s important to take advantage of any credits you qualify for. Common tax credits in Chile may include:
- Credits for taxes withheld by employers.
- Credits for investments in certain industries or regions.
- Credits for renewable energy projects or environmental initiatives.
- Retirement Savings: Contributions to retirement savings plans may be tax-deductible up to certain limits. Consider contributing to a pension plan or individual retirement account (IRA) to reduce taxable income.
- Invest In Tax-Advantaged Accounts: Explore investment opportunities that offer tax benefits, such as investing in mutual funds or retirement accounts that provide tax-deferred growth or tax-free withdrawals.
- Optimize Business Expenses: If you own a business, ensure you are maximizing deductions for legitimate business expenses. Keep thorough records of business expenses and consult with a tax professional to identify all eligible deductions.
- Take Advantage Of Special Tax Regimes: Some industries or regions in Chile may have special tax regimes or incentives to promote investment and economic development. Research whether your business qualifies for any special tax benefits.
- Timing Of Income And Expenses: Strategically time the recognition of income and expenses to minimize tax liability. For example, consider deferring income or accelerating deductible expenses into the current tax year.
- Tax Planning With A Professional: Work with a qualified tax advisor or accountant who is familiar with Chilean tax laws. They can provide personalized tax planning strategies tailored to your individual or business situation.
- Stay Compliant: Ensure compliance with all tax laws and regulations to avoid penalties or fines. Keep accurate records and file tax returns on time to take advantage of available deductions and credits.
Conclusion
As we wrap up our journey through the income tax brackets of Chile, remember that knowledge is more than power—it’s money in your pocket. With this guide, you’re now equipped to navigate the complexities of the Chilean tax system, making informed decisions that safeguard your earnings and ensure you contribute appropriately to the nation’s fabric.
Embrace fiscal responsibility with confidence, and watch your prosperity grow.
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