The principles governing 'place of effective management' and 'permanent establishments' and their application to the digit al economy: a South African perspective
Date
2016
Authors
Boel, Katherine
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Abstract
The purpose of this research report is to consider the application of existing 'place of effective
management' (POEM) and 'permanent establishment' (PE) principles to a company operating in a
digital economy in order to determine its appropriateness and limitations.
This paper is broadly divided into four parts. The first part of the paper provides a brief background
to the above taidng principles and the digital economy. The second part considers, in detail, the
guidance and factors that are currently available on how the POEM and the creation of a PE for a
company may be determined both internationally and from a South African tax perspective,
including the role of the residency tie-breaker article and the PE article in most double taxation
agreements (DTA's) with South Africa. The third part of the paper considers how these guidelines
and factors may apply to the digital economy and the practical challenges which arise. Finally, the
paper seeks to identify possible alternatives to overcome the pitfalls in the POEM and PE
interpretations and to highlight aspects which require further consideration.
Key words: place of effective management, residency tie-breaker clause, key management and
commercial decisions, hierarchy oftests, permanent establishments, double taxation agreements, the
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the digital economy, base erosion and
profit shifting, physical presence, auxiliary and preparatory activities, information and
communication technology, anti-fragmentation.
Description
A research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce (Taxation) to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2015