Poland SME Ombudsman challenges proposed tax threshold cuts

The Ombudsman for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Agnieszka Majewska, has called on the Ministry of Finance to re-evaluate proposed changes to the lump-sum tax system. The proposed legislation (UD458) seeks to lower the revenue threshold for qualifying for lump-sum taxation from 2 million euros to 250,000 euros. This change could impact approximately 43,000 entrepreneurs, particularly in the construction, trade, and manufacturing sectors, by forcing them into more complex tax settlement systems.

Simultaneously, the Polish government has adopted a project to increase VAT rates on certain non-alcoholic beverages from 5% to 23%, including some 0.0% alcohol beers and juice-based drinks. In the gastronomy sector, beverages are expected to be taxed at 23% instead of 8%. These changes come amid ongoing calls from restaurateurs for a simplified VAT system to avoid disputes over individual ingredients and complex classifications.