Poland to end tax relief for young people, Prime Minister Tusk announces

Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced that the Polish government does not intend to extend the tax-free income period for young people beyond the age of 26. The statement was made during his appearance at Campus Polska Przyszłości in Olsztyn.

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Now there will be whistles, because the government does not plan to extend this tax-free period.

Tusk addressed the issue directly when asked by an attendee, stating, "Now there will be whistles, because the government does not plan to extend this tax-free period." He posed a rhetorical question to the audience: "Honestly, tell me, in what way is the situation of a 26-year-old more difficult than that of a 58-year-old?"

The Prime Minister argued that individuals who choose to enter the workforce later or extend their education are adults who must be capable of financial planning. "If someone decides to enter professional life later, not immediately after studies, or extends their education... then they are an adult and must be able to calculate," Tusk stated. He added that young people already benefit from the relief up to age 26 and need to prepare for its expiration.

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Honestly, tell me, in what way is the situation of a 26-year-old more difficult than that of a 58-year-old?

Tusk also cited budgetary constraints, noting that "we wouldn't find the money for it in the budget right now." He further commented on Poland's generally low taxation levels, suggesting a need for fiscal adjustments. "It's difficult to maintain a situation where social welfare is Swedish, and taxes are Irish. There's some exaggeration in that, but not too much," he remarked.

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If someone decides to enter professional life later, not immediately after studies, or extends their education... then they are an adult and must be able to calculate.

The current "Ulga dla młodych" (PIT-0) exempts income up to 85,528 PLN gross from personal income tax for individuals under 26, earned from employment contracts and similar agreements. If this threshold is exceeded, employers apply a 12% tax rate. However, the relief does not apply to income from certain sources like contract work, business activities, or sickness benefits, nor to lump-sum taxed income.

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It's difficult to maintain a situation where social welfare is Swedish, and taxes are Irish. There's some exaggeration in that, but not too much.