Polish VAT returns

Any company registered with the Polish tax authorities (see our Polish VAT registration briefing) as a non-resident VAT trader must report taxable transactions. Since 1 October 2020, this is via Polish SAF-T transaction reporting rather than a summary VAT return.

How often are Polish VAT returns required?

In Poland returns may be filed electronically or manually.

The default tax period for VAT in Poland is one calendar month. However, the VAT reporting period, quarterly or monthly, can be selected by a business when registering using the VAT-R form. If a business chooses to file quarterly returns it may still be required to make monthly VAT pre-payments depending on turnover. Only businesses with a turnover of less than PLN5,068,000 may make quarterly payments. Businesses supplying “sensitive” goods such as steel, fuel and rough gold must make monthly returns and payments.

What Polish VAT can be deducted?

In addition to declaring sales or output VAT in the Polish return, companies can offset this by the corresponding input or purchase VAT. There are some exceptions, including:

Accommodation and restaurant services
Cars where the vehicle is not used exclusively for business purposes (under certain circumstances 50% of the input VAT may be deducted)

What are the deadlines for filing Polish VAT returns?

Polish monthly or quarterly VAT returns are due on the 25th of the month following the period end. Any Polish VAT due must be paid at the same time. In the case where a business has opted to file quarterly returns but is required to make monthly prepayments, VAT due for the quarter should be paid as below:

Obligatory prepayment in first two months of the quarter of an amount equivalent to one third of the total VAT paid in the previous quarter
VAT due in the third month is calculated using the VAT return for that quarter

Type of return	Frequency	Filing deadline	Document	Format
VAT return	Monthly	25th of the following month	VAT 7	PDF
	Quaterly	25th of the following month	VAT 7K	XML
EC listing	Monthly	25th of the following month	VAT UE	PDF
	Quarterly	25th of the following month	VAT UE	PDF
	Monthly	when required	VAT UEK	PDF
	Quarterly	when required	VAT UEK	PDF
Intrastat	Monthly	10th day of the following month	Intrastat Declaration	XML
Reverse Charge Listings	Monthly	25th of the following month	VAT 27	XML
	Quarterly	25th of the following month	VAT 27 K	XML
Sales Invoice	On Request from Authority	The taxpayer has to generate and transfer a file not less than 3 days.	JPK_FA
VAT Books JPK VAT	Monthly	25th of the following month	JPK VAT	XML

Polish VAT penalties

If there are misdeclarations or late fillings of Poland VAT returns, foreign companies may be subject to penalties. Penalties generally take the form of interest charged on the amounts of unpaid VAT. The interest rates are currently set at twice the Polish National Bank rate plus 2%. The rate charged must be a minimum of 8%.
The tax assessment period is five years from the end of the year in which a business was liable for VAT.

How are Polish VAT credits recovered?

If there is a surplus of VAT inputs over outputs (more VAT incurred than charged), then a Polish VAT credit arises. In theory, this is due back to the VAT registered business from the tax authorities. This credit can be refunded or carried forward to offset any tax due in the next period. A business applying for a VAT refund in Poland will be subject to time limits depending on the nature of the transactions involved.

Get help solving your VAT challenges

Need a fiscal representative in Poland?

Non-EU businesses selling in Poland will need to appoint a fiscal representative alongside completing VAT registration and returns.
Fiscal representatives are responsible for the accurate VAT submissions of their non-EU clients.
Avalara offers a Fiscal Representative Service as part of its international VAT and GST Registration and Returns Service.

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Need help with your Polish VAT compliance?

Researching Polish VAT legislation is the first step to understanding your VAT compliance needs. Avalara has a range of solutions that can help your business depending on where and how you trade.

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