Polish Senate faces backlash over expanded VAT and banking regulations

Entrepreneurs and business groups have condemned a proposed amendment to Poland's VAT law that would broaden joint liability for buyers and impose new verification duties on small and medium‑sized enterprises. Representatives such as Hanna Mojsiuk, president of the Northern Chamber of Commerce in Szczecin, and tax expert Agnieszka Zamaro‑Wiśniewska argue the measures add excessive oversight and threaten the viability of micro, small and medium firms. They have submitted an open letter to senators and plan to lobby for liberalisation of the draft.

In a separate but related development, the Senate approved a banking law that expands the powers of the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF). The legislation gives the KNF authority over appointments of bank board members and chairpersons, as well as oversight of major transactions, mergers and capital moves. Critics claim the law increases state intervention, raises compliance costs and introduces unnecessary “gold‑plating” of EU directives, potentially hampering the free market.

Both pieces of legislation have sparked concerns among the business community about growing regulatory burdens and state control over the economy.