Poland banks in strong condition, can pay higher taxes, says PM
Polish banks are in very good financial condition and can afford to pay higher taxes, which will help finance the army, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said ahead of a government meeting.
Tusk said he was discussing the bank taxation project, stressing that to support the vulnerable, ensure higher wages, and fund army investments, the country needs more money.
He added, they want to avoid burdening Polish families with higher taxes, which is why the Finance and Economy Minister proposed this measure.
"It is better to tax banks than Polish families, especially since banks are in very good financial condition. This in no way affects their real condition. It will be a bigger burden, but who else should bear it if not those who have the most money? This is not populism, but a fairly obvious conclusion," he added.
The government will review a Ministry of Finance draft law to raise banks’ corporate income tax from 19 percent to 30 percent in 2026, then reduce it to 26 percent in 2027, and set it permanently at 23 percent from 2028, with a review after three years.
The Ministry of Finance estimated that the CIT changes for banks would increase budget revenues from this tax by about PLN 6.6 billion (EUR 1.5 bln) in 2026. Over the next 10 years, the bank CIT hikes are expected to bring the budget PLN 23.4 billion (EUR 5.5 bln) in total.
According to the draft, banks will receive a reduction in the so-called bank tax rate — by 10 percent in 2027 and by 20 percent relative to the current level in 2028. This tax level is to remain stable thereafter.
tus/ nl/ han/