Essential information
Setting up a company and starting activities
What are the requirements for being the legal representative of a company in Chile?
In order to be the legal representative of a company in Chile for tax purposes, it is necessary:
- To be a natural person;
- To be at least 18 years of age;
- To be resident in Chile;
- To have been appointed as such through a public or private deed, issued in Chile or overseas; in the latter case, the deed must be duly certified or legalized, depending on the corresponding requirements.
For further information, see http://bit.ly/2o8Zu31.
Is it legally necessary to have a local partner in order to invest in Chile?
No, a foreign investor can wholly own a Chilean company.
How and where does one obtain a tax number (RUT) as a foreign investor?
In order to undertake financial activities in Chile, foreign investors must register with the National Tax Service (SII), doing so either directly or through a legal representative domiciled or resident in Chile but without having to be of Chilean nationality, with a special power of attorney conferring sufficient powers to act before the SII. This power of attorney may be granted before the Chilean consul in the country of origin, directly before a public notary in Chile or before a public notary in the country of origin. In the latter case, the document containing the power of attorney must be certified or legalized, depending on the corresponding requirements. Registration with the SII must take place in the SII office corresponding to the domicile of the investor or the legal representative. There are two procedures for obtaining a tax number (RUT):
a) Normal Procedure
This involves filling out Form F-4415 (Registration of RUT and/or Sworn Declaration of Start of Activities) and presenting it to the SII, either personally or through a legal representative domiciled or resident in Chile. This Form is available at: http://bit.ly/2mUsOcN.
b) Simplified Procedure
Foreigners without domicile or residence in Chile who wish to buy and sell movable assets can obtain the Tax Number (RUT) required for such investments through institutions that operate as custodians or stockbrokers accredited in Chile or through the intermediary institutions with which they operate in Chile. For further information, see:
For further general information, see www.sii.cl
