Supreme Court income tax ruling brings financial boost for Polish science

Yesterday the Supreme Court ruled that the Foundation for the Benefit of Polish Science (FnrNP) does not have to pay income tax on profits from investments in securities, which will mean that the State Treasury will have to refund FnrNP with over zl.100 million. The case sets a precedent for foundations and non-governmental organizations. Up to now foundations were only allowed to earn tax-free interest from bank accounts and not from bonds. The decline in bank deposit interest rates means many foundations are having problems financing their current range of activities. Deputy chairman of the Polish Academy of Science (PAN) and well-know professor of history, Janusz Tazbir, said, "At last some good news for financing Polish science, which is permanently under-financed. The case shows protests are not the only way to win." (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 3) M.T.