Marcin Łoboda, the head of the National Revenue Administration (KAS), has come to the defense of his employees following a backlash over a recent inspection in Szczecin. The incident that triggered public outrage involved a hefty 500 PLN fine imposed on a local pierogi restaurant for selling water without issuing a receipt.
The restaurant owners shared the details of the situation on their Facebook page on July 1. They explained that the inspection took place on the third day of their relocation to a new location, just minutes before the scheduled opening for customers.
According to the restaurateurs’ account, a woman entered the establishment asking to purchase a bottle of water. The venue was not officially open yet, and the cash register had not been activated. However, in an effort to be accommodating to the customer, the staff decided to complete the transaction. Unbeknownst to them, the buyer was a tax office employee, and the purchase was part of an inspection. This encounter resulted in a 500 PLN fine.
In response to the incident, social media users expressed their displeasure regarding the fine imposed on the pierogi shop. Over the weekend, Łoboda issued a statement addressing the situation.
In his statement, the KAS chief condemned the “various forms of harassment, insults, slander, and public attacks” against tax officials who, he emphasized, perform their duties professionally and in accordance with the law, acting in the interest of the state and all citizens.
Łoboda further elaborated on the nature of KAS inspections, asserting that they are not intended to provoke honest businesses.
He highlighted that questioning the integrity of officials merely for fulfilling their legal obligations damages both individual reputations and the credibility of the institution itself.
In concluding his statement, the head of KAS expressed his full support for his team, denouncing any tolerance for hate, slander, and attempts to harass or discredit tax employees.
