According to the information obtained by the “Rzeczpospolita”, the key change would be to introduce tax burdens for online sellers. – Many companies run trade over digital space, bypassing the current regulations – explains the newspaper, citing a source similar to the Ministry of Finance. The new regulations would counteract this.
The current system assumes that companies with stationary stores pay 0.8 percent. tax on monthly revenues of PLN 17 million to PLN 170 million. For revenues over PLN 170 million, a 1.4 percent rate applies. According to estimates, this tax will bring up to PLN 4.9 billion to the state budget, and this amount is systematically increasing due to the growing turnover of the largest retail chains, such as Biedronka or Lidl.
“Rzeczpospolita” indicates that taxation of large e-commerce sellers could bring even more budget funds. Preliminary forecasts assume additional revenues of several hundred million zlotys a year to over PLN 1 billion.
Chinese platforms and uneven opportunities
The introduction of new regulations, however, may be controversial. As noted by Mateusz Jeżyk, president of Sales Intelligence (Digitree Group), there is a fear that Polish online stores will be additionally charged, while sales by foreign platforms, such as this or Aliexpress, can still avoid full taxation. – Although they are formally subject to VAT regulations in Poland, various mechanisms, such as breaking up shipments into smaller parties, allow them to effectively bypass a part of customs and tax costs – he assessed in the newspaper.
As a result, as Jeżyk added, Chinese platforms can gain an even greater advantage at the expense of Polish entrepreneurs. – The current shape of the tax system makes them the biggest winners – emphasized the expert, while indicating that Polish stores can be forced to face new regulatory challenges.
For now, the Ministry of Finance has been limited to laconic statements, indicating that the analysis of retail tax tax is in progress. However, according to Rzeczpospolita, changes in the regulations seem practically certain. Will the new regulation really introduce a balance on the market or will it deepen the advantage of foreign giants? We will find out only when the ministry presents the details of the planned reforms.
