Taxation and the Digital Economy

Singapore University of Social Sciences

Taxation and the Digital Economy (TAX535)

Synopsis

TAX535 Taxation and the Digital Economy equips the student with the knowledge of the digital economy, and how the tax systems around the world, and the various multilateral organisations dealing with taxation are grappling with the complexities of the new economy, using old and new rules and principles. The course covers how the pre-BEPS world looked at the digital economy, and explores the post-BEPS world and how it is designed to tax the digital economy. (BEPS refers to the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project undertaken by the OECD/G20 nations in 2012 to reform the international tax system because of perceived tax planning abuses.) The course looks at the efforts of various countries such as the USA, the UK and Australia to tax the digital economy outside of the multilateral approach of the OECD. Even while countries and multilateral bodies act, the digital economy evolves. The course explores how taxation deals with issues such as the platform or sharing economy, the internet of things, bitcoins, blockchains and artificial intelligence.

Level: 5
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: EVERY JAN

Topics

The Scope of Income Taxation
The Taxation of E-commerce (the pre-BEPS debate)
Remote Supply and the Digital Permanent Establishment
Cloud Computing
The Development of the Digital Economy
BEPS and the Digital Economy: The Collective and the Individual State Responses
Extension of the Permanent Establishment Concept
Direct Taxation and Indirect Taxation
“State Aid” Attacks
The New Economies – Old Rules New Developments?
Other Approaches to the Digital Economy
The Singapore Position
The Complexities of a Global Entrepreneur

Learning Outcome

Evaluate the facts in various case-study scenarios, and correctly identify the taxation issue presented
Assemble all sources of law and practice relevant to the issue identified
Critically appraise the various authorities that may exist in this area, be they case law, statute law etc.
Distinguish precedent cases from fact pattern presented
Formulate a position paper, strategy document or tax advice on matters relating to the taxation issue
Examine and analyse legal materials which are written in technical or complex language
Discuss through different forms of communication, such as verbal, written and formal presentations, presenting knowledge or an argument in a way which is comprehensible to others