After the request made by the Argentine Confederation of Medium Enterprises (CAME), the Secretariat of Internal Trade, through Resolution 201/2020, extended the validity of the Ahora 12 program until December 31, and incorporated operations carried out through credit cards issued by non-financial entities. The measure seeks to “motorize demand and recover the salary relationship so that there is consumption.”

As it was being implemented, businesses and service providers can offer their goods in the form of 3, 6, 12 and 18 installments any day of the week, indicating “in a clear and precise manner” the cash price, the advance payment if any, the quantity and amount of each of the installments, and the total financial cost when applicable.

The rule specifies that the program will remain valid for operations carried out through credit cards issued by financial entities or not, and digital payment platforms.

The items included in each payment plan are the following:

3 and 6 installments: clothing, footwear and leather goods, furniture, tourism (this item only in 6 installments), books, glasses, stationery, toys and board games, lighting fixtures, perfumery, food, medicines and LED lighting lamps and tubes (in the latter case, without distinguishing whether they were manufactured in Argentina or abroad).
12 and 18 installments: appliances, clothing, footwear and leather goods, construction materials and tools, furniture, bicycles, motorcycles (up to 180 thousand pesos), tourism, mattresses, glasses (this item only in 12 installments), toys and board games, 4G cell phones, tires, accessories, CNG gas vehicle conversion kit and spare parts for automobiles and motorcycles, musical instruments, computers, notebooks and tablets, televisions, perfumery, small appliances, sports preparation services (includes gyms), medical equipment, food and medicines.

The program covers purchases in shops, supermarkets, hypermarkets and general stores, in person or virtually, according to the adhesion of the stores and the credit cards they use.

At the moment, the interest rate – which is usually absorbed by businesses – is 20.3% for the 3-installment plan, 23.11% for the 6-installment plan, 25.06% for the 12-installment variant and 25.89% for the 18-installment variant. The “Now 12” site has a list of businesses that guarantee interest-free installments.

On the other hand, the collection times and interest rates for suppliers and businesses were maintained for card operations, which apply to all cards, whether issued by a financial entity or not.

Suppliers and businesses in operations carried out through credit cards will be charged within a period of up to 10 business days, for sales made in three installments, with the application of a maximum discount rate of 2.44%; and in six installments, up to 4.75%.

Meanwhile, they may choose to collect within a period of 60 calendar days with a maximum direct discount rate of 7% or in up to 10 business days with 9.15%, for sales made in 12 installments.

For operations with 18 installments, you can choose between charging within 60 calendar days with a discount of 11.18% or up to 10 business days, with a discount of 13.26%.
To access the Resolution 201/2020, click here.