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The Future of the Digital Permanent Establishment Concept: Challenges and Obstacles

Publication date: 07.11.2024

Financial Law Review, 2024, Issue 34 (2)/2024,

https://doi.org/10.4467/22996834FLR.24.009.20614

Authors

Tereza Homa
Department of Financial Law and Economics, Faculty of Law, Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5986-4012 Orcid
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Titles

The Future of the Digital Permanent Establishment Concept: Challenges and Obstacles

Abstract

Addressing the challenges and implications of taxing the digital economy through the concept of Digital Permanent Establishment [DPE] is the main focus of this article.

Traditional tax systems based on physical presence are inadequate for digital businesses that generate significant revenues without a physical footprint. The research examines whether the introduction of DPE can increase tax revenues in countries where digital services are provided. The hypothesis is that DPE will lead to higher tax revenues by capturing profits that are currently shifted to low-tax jurisdictions.

The objectives of the article are to analyse the potential effectiveness of DPE in increasing tax revenues, the barriers to increasing tax revenues of DPE, and to compare the economic impact between countries that have adopted DPE and those that have not. The research methodology includes legal analysis, historical analysis and comparative analysis of approaches from chosen countries.

Challenges and other factors affecting the enforceability and profitability of the tax reduce the expected finding that countries that have adopted DPE have seen an increase in tax revenues from digital services.

This does not mean that DPE is effective in combating base erosion and profit shifting [BEPS] in the digital economy. However, the study also highlights administrative challenges and the need for international coordination to avoid double taxation.

In conclusion, the article’s findings confirm that DPE can increase tax revenues and contribute to fairer taxation of the digital economy. It provides new insights into the implementation and impact of DPE and highlights its potential to modernise international tax systems. The findings underline the importance of adapting tax policies to the realities of the digital economy.

References

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Information

Information: Financial Law Review, 2024, Issue 34 (2)/2024,

Article type: Original article

Authors

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5986-4012

Tereza Homa
Department of Financial Law and Economics, Faculty of Law, Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5986-4012 Orcid
All publications →

Department of Financial Law and Economics, Faculty of Law, Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic

Published at: 07.11.2024

Received at: 24.04.2024

Accepted at: 24.06.2024

Article status: Open

Licence: CC BY-NC-ND  licence icon

Percentage share of authors:

Tereza Homa (Author) - 100%

Information about author:

Tereza Homa, PhD Candidate for Financial Law, Department of Financial Law and Economics, Faculty of Law, Masaryk University, Czech Republic. Author specializes in tax regulation, especially tax process. Attorney-at-law in international law firm and author of several papers based on research presented at national conferences and international conferences. Contact email: terkakrizova@seznam.cz, ORCID: 0000-0001-5986-4012.

Classification number:

JEL Classification System:

Efficiency | Optimal Taxation (H21)
Tax Evasion and Avoidance (H26)
Tax Law (K34)

Article corrections:

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Publication languages:

English