The Taxes in Poland You May Know Nothing About but Should Pay if Necessary

The taxes in Poland or Polish Tax Service has been consulting people on paying taxes independently or automatically for several years. Some tax obligation is imposed on people automatically when certain circumstances arise, for example, accepting a donation, signing a sales agreement, etc.

Although The newlyweds may not find it amusing to think of the taxes in Poland during their honeymoon, they should consider that gifts received in cash and in-kind are taxed. This tax is applied if the value of all donations from one person for five years exceeds the established limit. The amount of the limit depends on the relationship between the donor and the recipient.

The Latest Updates on Taxes in Poland:

If a couple makes a large purchase for the money they receive or deposits a considerable amount to the bank account, the IRS will be interested in where these funds came from. In case they find out it’s a donation with no tax applied, the agency will impose a severe penalty of 20% on the undeclared amount.

When you buy a car directly from a dealer or a used car and you receive an invoice, it already includes tax. But when you buy a vehicle from an individual who doesn’t carry out business activities, you must pay a tax of 2% of the purchase price. The penalty for non-payment of taxes in Poland when buying a vehicle currently ranges from 280 zlotys to 56 000 zlotys.

Due to the growing popularity of online platforms, anyone can become a seller today. The object they sell is their property for less than six months, the tax office considers the object as new, therefore, it should be indicated as income from the sale of movable property in the PIT 36 declaration.

Finally, the state taxes in Poland for tetrapods were introduced in Poland more than 30 years ago. However, few people know it exists. It’s up to the community to decide whether or not the owners of four-legged animals have to pay.

What This Means for Businesses in Poland

Tax policy changes in Poland have direct implications for both domestic and foreign-owned businesses. Companies operating in Poland must stay informed about regulatory developments to optimize their tax position and maintain compliance. The Polish tax system includes CIT (19% standard, 9% for small taxpayers), VAT (23% standard rate with reduced rates of 8% and 5%), and various sector-specific levies.

For international entrepreneurs and investors, understanding the Polish tax landscape is essential for business planning. Poland offers several attractive incentives including the Polish Investment Zone (up to 15 years of CIT exemption), R&D tax relief (up to 200% deduction), and the IP Box regime (5% effective CIT rate on qualified intellectual property income). Professional tax advisory can help identify the most beneficial structure for your specific situation.

The interplay between Polish domestic tax law and international tax treaties is particularly important for foreign-owned entities. Transfer pricing regulations, withholding tax provisions, and anti-avoidance rules (GAAR) require careful navigation to ensure both compliance and optimization.

If you are doing business in Poland or considering entering the Polish market, Zalewski Consulting can help. Learn more about our tax advisory services in Poland, or contact us for a free consultation.