Chilean self-employed social contributions (cotizaciones previsionales para independientes).
Written by the OpenAccountants team. Written by the OpenAccountants team from the official sources it cites.
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Every figure is drawn from this Guide and cited to its source.
Required inputs before computing
Before computing, you MUST obtain: 1. Does client issue boletas de honorarios? -- mandatory withholding applies 2. Total gross boleta income for the year -- determines renta imponible 3. AFP affiliation -- which AFP and its comisión 4. Health system -- Fonasa or Isapre 5. Any employment income? -- dual status rules 6. Tax year -- phase-in complete from 2025. If client does not issue boletas, confirm whether voluntary contributor.
R-CL-SOC-1 -- Bilateral agreement
Trigger: foreign national with bilateral social security agreement. Message: "Bilateral agreements may exempt from Chilean cotizaciones. Escalate for legal review."
Prohibitions list
NEVER compute without knowing whether client issues boletas; NEVER use prior year's tope imponible -- verify UF-based cap; NEVER tell a boleta issuer they can opt out from 2025 -- phase-in complete; NEVER ignore the 80% factor -- gross boleta is NOT the base; NEVER assume Fonasa -- confirm Fonasa vs Isapre; NEVER present AFP comisión without confirming specific AFP; NEVER assume withholding covers full cotización -- shortfalls are common
renta_imponible formula
renta_imponible = gross_boleta_income x 80% / 12DL 3.500 Art. 90
80% factor and tope cap
The 80% factor accounts for 20% presumed expenses. Capped at tope imponible (87.8 UF/month, variable in CLP).DL 3.500 Art. 90
Total effective rate
Total effective: ~18.95-19.93% of renta imponible.
Operación Renta process
1. SII calculates total renta imponible 2. Total cotizaciones owed = renta imponible x rates 3. Compare owed vs withheld 4. Difference = additional payment or refund
Distribution priority order
1. SIS (first) 2. AFP (second) 3. Salud (last -- most likely underfunded)
Registration requirements
Must be affiliated with an AFP. If not, assigned to lowest-comisión AFP. Must declare Fonasa/Isapre affiliation.
Phase-in status
From 2025 onward, 100% of renta imponible subject to cotización. No partial exemption.Ley 21.133
Isapre above statutory rate
If Isapre plan costs more than 7%, the difference must be paid directly by the client. Only statutory 7% allocated from withholding.
Foreign client boleta withholding
Withholding still applies. If no Chilean pagador, client must self-declare.
Rendered from the canonical facts model. General reference only — confirm with a qualified professional before acting.
Quick reference table
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Country | Chile |
| Authority | SII (withholding); Superintendencia de Pensiones (AFP oversight) |
| Primary legislation | DL 3.500 (Pension System); Ley 21.133 (mandatory contributions, 2019) |
| Supporting legislation | Ley 18.469 (Fonasa); Ley 16.744 (SIS) |
| AFP rate | 10% of renta imponible |
| AFP comisión | 0.46%-1.44% (varies by AFP) |
| SIS rate | ~1.49% (2025) |
| Salud rate | 7% (Fonasa/Isapre) |
| Withholding rate | 13.75% of gross boleta (2025) |
| Renta imponible | Gross boleta x 80% / 12 |
| Tope imponible | 87.8 UF/month |
| Phase-in | 100% from 2025 (complete) |
| Settlement | Operación Renta (April) |
| Currency | CLP (UF-linked for tope) |
| Contributor | Open Accountants |
| Validated by | Pending -- requires validation by Chilean contador |
| Validation date | Pending |
Contribution rates table
| Component | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AFP (pension) | 10% | Mandatory capitalization |
| AFP comisión | 0.46%-1.44% | Varies by AFP |
| SIS | ~1.49% | Set annually |
| Salud (Fonasa) | 7% | Mandatory statutory |
| Salud (Isapre) | 7% minimum | Difference paid directly by client |
Withholding from boletas table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Rate | 13.75% of gross boleta |
| Withheld by | Pagador (paying entity) |
| Destination | SII holds, distributes at Operación Renta |
Tax deductibility table
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Are cotizaciones deductible? | YES -- reduce income tax base |
| Where? | Annual return (Formulario 22) |
| 13.75% withholding | Covers BOTH income tax and previsional |
Penalties table
| Penalty | Detail |
|---|---|
| Non-affiliation | Assigned to lowest-cost AFP |
| Opt-out from 2025 | No longer available |
Situation: Client opted out 2019-2024. Resolution: From 2025, opt-out unavailable. Full cotización deducted at Operación Renta 2026.
Situation: Employed and issues boletas. Resolution: Employment cotizaciones cover employment income. Boleta withholding covers independent income separately.
Situation: Monthly renta imponible exceeds 87.8 UF. Resolution: Cap at 87.8 UF. Excess has no additional obligation.
Situation: Isapre plan at 9%. Resolution: 2% difference paid directly to Isapre. Flag for reviewer.
Situation: 13.75% withholding totals CLP 500,000 but owed CLP 800,000. Resolution: CLP 300,000 shortfall at Operación Renta. Priority: SIS > AFP > salud.
Situation: Self-employed, no boletas. Resolution: No mandatory cotización. Recommend voluntary. Flag tax compliance issue.
When a situation requires reviewer judgement:
REVIEWER FLAG
Tier: T2
Client: [name]
Situation: [description]
Issue: [what is ambiguous]
Options: [possible treatments]
Recommended: [most likely correct treatment and why]
Action Required: Qualified contador must confirm before advising client.
When a situation is outside skill scope:
ESCALATION REQUIRED
Tier: T3
Client: [name]
Situation: [description]
Issue: [outside skill scope]
Action Required: Do not advise. Refer to qualified contador. Document gap.
Input: Gross boletas CLP 24,000,000/year. AFP Modelo (0.58%). Fonasa. 2025. Expected output: Renta imponible CLP 1,600,000/month. AFP 10% = CLP 160,000. Comisión = CLP 9,280. SIS = CLP 23,840. Salud = CLP 112,000. Monthly ~CLP 305,120.
Input: Gross CLP 120,000,000/year. AFP Uno (0.46%). Fonasa. Expected output: Monthly capped at 87.8 UF. Rates on capped amount.
Input: Employed CLP 2,000,000/month + boletas CLP 12,000,000/year. Expected output: Boleta renta imponible CLP 800,000/month. Separate cotización.
Input: Client who opted out in 2023. Tax year 2025. Expected output: 100% subject. No exemption.
Input: Withholding CLP 500,000, owed CLP 800,000. Expected output: CLP 300,000 shortfall at Operación Renta.
Input: Isapre 9%. Expected output: 7% from withholding. 2% paid directly. Flag.
This skill and its outputs are provided for informational and computational purposes only and do not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Open Accountants and its contributors accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes arising from the use of this skill. All outputs must be reviewed and signed off by a qualified professional (such as a CPA, EA, tax attorney, or equivalent licensed practitioner in your jurisdiction) before filing or acting upon.
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