Poland: The benefits of operating in a special economic zone

International Tax Review is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 4 Bouverie Street, London, EC4Y 8AX

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2024

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Poland: The benefits of operating in a special economic zone

intl-updates-small.jpg
dziedzic.jpg

Monika Dziedzic

Until 2027, most of businesses operating in Polish special economic zones (SEZs) may be exempt from profits tax and real estate tax. There are 14 SEZs located all around Poland, but the SEZ status may be also given to nearly any appointed location.

The level of profits tax exemption is a consequence of either qualifying investment costs or new employment.

The exemption equals from 15% to 50% of investment costs (depending on the location of the SEZ – higher level is in more rural areas), or from 15% to 50% of two-year labour costs of newly employed workers. For small and medium-sized enterprises the investment aid may be increased by 20% and 10%, respectively.

The prime condition to do business in the SEZ is to obtain a special SEZ permit, which defines among others allowed scope of business, minimum investment and/or minimum employment.

Qualifying investment cost is the expenditure incurred after obtaining the SEZ permit for mainly fixed assets (including land), development or modernisation of existing fixed assets or purchase of intangible assets related to the transfer of technology through the acquisition of patent rights, licenses, know-how or non-patented technical knowledge. Rent cost and finance leasing may also qualify as expenditure giving the title to the tax exemption.

The exemption applies only to profits from business defined in the SEZ permit.

The loss incurred from business activity in the SEZ cannot be carried forward.

Disposal of qualifying fixed asset within five years from completion will result with in the loss of the right to tax exemptions.

In 2017, there are approximately 1,700 businesses operating in SEZs in Poland including multinationals, as well as local large and small entrepreneurs.

Monika Dziedzic (monika.dziedzic@mddp.pl)

MDDP

Tel: +48 22 322 68 88

Website: www.mddp.pl

more across site & bottom lb ros

More from across our site

Ireland offers more than just its competitive corporate tax environment but a reduction in the US rate under a Trump administration could affect the country, experts tell ITR
The ‘big four’ firm was originally prohibited from tendering for government work until December 1 due to it tax leaks scandal, but ongoing investigations into the matter has seen the date extended
Approximately 74% of MAP cases in 2023 reached a full resolution, but new transfer pricing MAP cases fell by 16%
Brazil is looking to impose the OECD’s 15% global minimum tax on multinationals; in other news, PwC is set to pull out of Fiji
The Australian gold producer’s CEO was detained in Mali last week following discussions with the African nation’s tax authorities
The BEPS project has seen the arm’s-length principle shift its focus to where human activity takes place, but Leonard Wagenaar questions if this is sustainable in a financialised world
Anticipating potential changes in tax basis interpretations can help reduce audit risks in tax planning for intercompany equity transfers, says Abe Zhao of FenXun partners
The new guide also covers transfer pricing and states that all transactions between related parties must be at arm’s-length
Local experts suggest complexity within Italy’s tax system could explain why advisers lag behind their counterparts in other jurisdictions
The tie-up will add around three US-based tax partners to Herbert Smith Freehills’s international 17-partner practice
Gift this article