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Key business deregulation measure dropped from Polish reform package

12.03.2025 16:00
As reported by the Polish daily „Rzeczpospolita” on Wednesday, the most anticipated regulation aimed at reducing bureaucratic burdens for businesses was dropped at the final stage of the legislative process.
A key provision was removed from Polands deregulation plan, despite earlier promises to include it. The measure was intended to shorten lengthy tax audits, prevent officials from making arbitrary accusations against businesses, and stop the artificial extension of the five-year tax limitation period.
A key provision was removed from Poland’s deregulation plan, despite earlier promises to include it. The measure was intended to shorten lengthy tax audits, prevent officials from making arbitrary accusations against businesses, and stop the artificial extension of the five-year tax limitation period.Photo: KPRM

On Tuesday, Poland’s government approved a bill designed to streamline bureaucracy, especially in business dealings with government offices.

The extensive reform, developed by the Ministry of Development and Technology since last spring, introduces changes to 25 laws affecting different aspects of running a business.

Concerns over tax audits and bureaucratic overreach

"This was supposed to put an end to prolonged inspections in companies and the arbitrary actions of tax officials who unjustly accuse taxpayers of crimes. The Ministry of Development and Technology had planned to remove a regulation that not only harms the reputation of entrepreneurs but also artificially extends the five-year tax limitation period," reports Rzeczpospolita.

Delayed reforms in Poland raise concerns among entrepreneurs

For now, the reform has stalled. The provision aimed at curbing excessive tax audits and bureaucratic overreach was not included in the deregulation package approved by the Polish government on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Finance claims it will introduce a similar measure in a separate bill, but this could take months - if it happens at all.

Tax expert Przemysław Pruszyński, quoted by Rzeczpospolita, acknowledges the government's need to combat financial crimes but warns that the law should not allow tax authorities to arbitrarily launch criminal investigations against all business owners.

The Polish daily Rzeczpospolita suggests that the government in Poland aims to ease burdens on businesses but has done less than originally promised in its proposed plans.

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Source: PAP/Rzeczpospolita/Business Insider