16:45 19 May 2025
Mass tax demands hit property owners, 14 day to pay or face penalties
Polish tax offices have been demanding back payments of property tax for several years retroactively, giving taxpayers only 14 days to pay often substantial amounts. These demands frequently come close to or beyond the legal time limits for issuing tax decisions, raising concerns about fairness and legality. Many taxpayers argue that the short payment deadlines and lack of installment options violate their rights.
The delays are partly due to pandemic-related disruptions and accumulated backlogs. The Commissioner for Human Rights (RPO) has received numerous complaints and has intervened, asking the Ministry of Finance whether the current practice—denying installment payments for retroactive taxes—is reasonable and supportive of taxpayers, especially when the debts span several years.
