Poland: Petition proposes replacing social benefits with tax relief

A citizen petition has been submitted to the Sejm Committee on Petitions proposing a significant overhaul of Poland's social welfare and tax systems. The proposal suggests eliminating the ‘800 plus’ child benefit program, as well as the 13th and 14th annual pension payments.

In exchange for these social benefits, the petition proposes either the complete abolition of personal income tax (PIT) or a substantial increase in the tax-free threshold to 60,000 PLN. The petitioner argues that the move would be budget-neutral, noting that the combined cost of the targeted social programs is roughly equivalent to the estimated loss in PIT revenue.

Proponents of the idea suggest that replacing direct transfers with tax relief would simplify the tax system, eliminate the need for annual tax settlements, and reduce administrative costs associated with distributing social benefits.