The term permanent establishment (PE) is an important tax concept for businesses that operate across international borders. In simple terms, it determines whether a business has created a sufficient presence in another country for its profits to be taxed there. The concept is used by HMRC to determine if a non-UK resident company has created a taxable business presence in the UK.

A permanent establishment is usually a fixed place of business in a country other than where the business is based. Typical examples include an office, branch, factory or workshop. The location must be at a distinct geographical place with a degree of permanence. As a general guide, a place of business used for more than six months is more likely to be treated as permanent, although this is not a strict rule and longer periods may apply to certain activities, such as construction projects.

The rules are not based solely on how long a business operates overseas. A business that uses the same building or location may create a permanent establishment even if it works from different rooms within that building. Equally, temporary interruptions in business activities do not necessarily mean that a permanent establishment has ended.

Whether an overseas presence qualifies as a PE in the UK depends on four statutory tests, which take account of the relevant tax treaty or domestic tax rules in the jurisdiction concerned. For the purposes of the Multinational Top-up Tax (MTT) rules, a PE is treated as a separate entity from the main business.

Creating a permanent establishment can trigger overseas tax registration, reporting and tax payment obligations. If your business is expanding abroad, opening an overseas office or undertaking long-term work in another country, it is important to consider the permanent establishment rules before you start, as unexpected tax liabilities can arise even when your overseas presence appears relatively limited.