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V3311-17 28 December 2017 · SG de Impuestos sobre las Personas Jurídicas Criterion in force
IRNR · establecimiento permanente

The German parent company could have a permanent establishment in Spain if it acts through a dependent agent

A Spanish company asks whether replacing a distribution agreement with a commission agreement with its German parent creates a permanent establishment for the latter. The DGT responds that the subsidiary, being subject to detailed instructions and binding contracts, constitutes a permanent establishment in Spain.

The question raised

Question raised

The DGT's ruling

The Spanish subsidiary could be a dependent agent if it is subject to detailed instructions and its contracts bind the parent company, which would constitute a permanent establishment in Spain. In that case, the profits attributable to said establishment will be taxed under the Non-Resident Income Tax. Regarding VAT, the parent company is the taxable person in assimilated intra-Community acquisitions, whereas the subsidiary is the taxable person for supplies between the parent and the subsidiary, and for sales to the end customer.

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