Why You Need to Know the 2026 Reference Values

When you decide to set up a company in Uruguay, whether as a local entrepreneur or a foreign investor, you face a tax and social security system that uses several units of account and reference values. These values — the BPC, the Indexed Unit (UI) and the Readjustable Unit (UR) — are updated periodically and are used to express tax brackets, thresholds, fines, exemptions and many of your company’s costs.

Whether you are setting up an SAS, an SRL, a corporation (SA) or a sole proprietorship, understanding these units is essential to plan your structure, project costs and comply correctly with DGI and BPS. In this article we explain what each unit is, how it is updated, where to check its current value and how it affects your company.

BPC (Base de Prestaciones y Contribuciones): What It Is and What It Is Used For

The BPC is a reference unit set by the Executive Branch, usually once a year (in January). It is used to express many amounts in social security and tax rules: personal income tax (IRPF) brackets and deductions, certain social security thresholds, benefits, fines and fees.

For companies, the BPC matters, for example, when withholding IRPF from employees’ salaries (the brackets are expressed in BPC), for certain BPS contribution thresholds and for some administrative fees. The value for 2026 is published at the start of the year in the official sources (BPS, DGI), so check it when calculating withholdings and contributions.

Indexed Unit (UI): The Main Inflation-Adjusted Reference

The Indexed Unit is the most widely used unit in Uruguayan tax rules. Its value is calculated and published daily by the National Statistics Institute (INE), based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), so it moves with inflation.

Many tax thresholds and amounts are expressed in UI: for example, revenue limits for small business regimes, certain IRAE thresholds, Investment Law parameters and the thresholds for filing financial statements with the AIN. Whenever a rule mentions an amount in UI, it is a figure that adjusts automatically for inflation, which keeps thresholds stable in real terms over time. To convert it into pesos, use the UI value on the relevant date (for example, the year-end date or the transaction date, as the rule specifies).

Practical Uses of the UI in Your Company

The UI is used to define thresholds and amounts that affect your choice of regime and your obligations: limits for simplified regimes, thresholds for certain IRAE options, the parameters of the corporate wealth tax for individuals and the size thresholds for financial reporting. By contrast, the ICOSA — paid by SAs but not SASs — is a fixed annual amount in pesos set by the authorities, not a percentage of capital.

When assessing which legal structure to choose, understanding which thresholds apply to each option is essential. For example, the fact that the SA pays ICOSA and the SAS does not is a recurring difference in how much it costs to run a company in Uruguay.

Where to Check It

The daily UI value is published by the INE and reproduced by DGI and the Central Bank. For any tax calculation, use the value the rule specifies (for example, at year-end or on the transaction date). Your accountant should manage these values in each return to avoid errors that lead to fines or adjustments.

Readjustable Unit (UR): Real Estate and Contracts

The Readjustable Unit is mainly used in housing and real estate matters, mortgages and some contracts and fines. It is published monthly by the INE and is adjusted according to the Average Wage Index (Índice Medio de Salarios), so it follows wages rather than prices.

Although less widely used than the UI, the UR is relevant if your company owns property or signs leases or loans expressed in UR. If you are setting up a company to operate in the real estate market or hold significant property, understanding the UR is part of your financial planning. This also applies to foreign investors who want to open a company in Uruguay as a foreigner for real estate investment.

Wealth Tax: Companies vs. Individuals

The Wealth Tax (Impuesto al Patrimonio) works differently for companies and individuals. Companies pay a flat 1.5% on their net taxable assets, determined under tax valuation rules and with certain assets exempt or excluded; there is no non-taxable minimum for legal entities. Individuals, on the other hand, have a non-taxable minimum expressed in UI and progressive rates.

For companies, the key is to understand which assets are taxed and how they are valued, which liabilities can be deducted and which exemptions apply (for example, certain assets linked to promoted projects). This is especially relevant if you plan to accumulate assets within the company rather than distribute profits.

Practical Summary of the Reference Units

A summary of the main reference units for your company. Remember that their values are updated and must be checked in the official sources for each procedure or return:

• BPC: set by the Executive Branch, generally annually. Used for IRPF brackets and many social security and administrative thresholds.
• UI (Indexed Unit): daily value published by the INE, adjusted by CPI. Used for many tax thresholds and amounts.
• UR (Readjustable Unit): monthly value published by the INE, adjusted by the Average Wage Index. Used mainly in real estate, mortgages and certain contracts.
• Corporate Wealth Tax: 1.5% on net taxable assets for companies, with no non-taxable minimum; individuals have a minimum expressed in UI.

Working with up-to-date values is essential to avoid errors in returns and to optimise your company’s tax burden legitimately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I check the current UI and BPC values?

The UI is published daily by the National Statistics Institute (INE) and reproduced by DGI and the BCU. The BPC is set by the Executive Branch and published at the start of each year by BPS and DGI.

Does buying a ready-made SAS change the reference values that apply?

No. The BPC, UI and UR are the same whether you buy a ready-made SAS or incorporate one from scratch. What changes are the operating costs depending on the company type and start date, but the reference values are identical for all companies in the same period.

When should I consider the Wealth Tax?

At the end of each financial year. Your company’s net taxable assets at year-end determine the Wealth Tax payable at 1.5%. It is advisable to project this from incorporation to avoid surprises, especially if the company will hold real estate or other significant assets.

Conclusion: Understanding Reference Values Is Key to Efficient Management

Understanding the BPC, the UI and the UR, and how the Wealth Tax works for companies, is not just a formality but a strategic tool for informed business decisions. From choosing between the types of companies in Uruguay to projecting costs and taxes, these values affect every stage of your company’s life.

The information in this article is general and does not constitute personalised legal or tax advice. At sociedadesanonimas.uy we have incorporated more than 500 companies, have experience with all company types and offer 100% online procedures. If you are planning your business structure in Uruguay, book a consultation with our team.