Dear Clients,
KELER would like to inform you that on November 23, 2018 the President of Poland signed a bill introducing changes to withholding tax (“WHT”) posing significant impact on foreign investors. The bill will take effect as of 1st January 2019.
This is KELER’s preliminary notice to its Clients which will be followed by detailed information about the changes in the tax processing (including procedure, templates) upon official announcement from the Polish CSD (KDPW acting as tax remitter on the Polish market) when it becomes available.
New mechanism
A completely new mechanism of settlement of WHT in relation to payments exceeding PLN 2million per annum for each taxpayer is to be introduced. Under the new rules, the conditional exemption from WHT or application of the reduced tax rate stipulated in the applicable Double Tax Treaty will be restricted.
Note that the new requirement will also apply to regulated investment / pension funds, which are currently covered by a tax exemption.
With regard to payments not exceeding PLN 2million per annum for each taxpayer, the remitter will still be entitled to apply reduced WHT rate or WHT exemption according to the current rules (though the some additional requirements are imposed on the tax remitter).
Certification process
New mechanism allows the remitters not to withhold tax in relation to payments exceeding PLN 2 million per annum if the remitter submits a statement confirming that:
- it possesses all documents necessary for applying reduced WHT rate or exemption from WHT;
- it is not aware of any circumstances which speak against granting tax exemption.
- The above will require the remitter to go through an extensive self-certification process, for which guidelines were not specifically set.
It should be stressed out that the remitter will be held accountable as to the completeness of the documents and correctness of the facts considered during the Certification process (fines and penalties including imprisonment under the Fiscal-Penal Code will apply). In addition, a penalty of 10-30% of the tax base may be imposed, if during a tax audit, the tax authorities question the results of the certification process.
Refund
In compliance with the new mechanism, the taxpayer / remitter shall have the right to claim for a WHT refund. This will be a procedure similar to current WHT claims (i.e. very formal and requiring an extensive analysis of source documents).
Opinion
Alternatively to the above the taxpayer or the remitter which incurred the economic cost of WHT and meets certain conditions stipulated in the CIT Law shall be able to apply to the tax authorities for an opinion confirming that tax may not be withheld (“Opinion”).
The Opinion shall be given 6 months from date of application at the latest and be valid for 36 months. Application for the Opinion shall be subject to fee of PLN 2,000.
Tax application for the Opinion might be rejected if:
- the taxpayer does not meet the requirements stipulated in the CIT Law;
- anti-avoidance provisions may be applicable;
- documents attached to the application are not in accordance with the factual circumstances;
- the taxpayer does not conduct a business activity in the country of his tax residence.
Impact
Effective 1st January 2019 investors may be taxed with statutory tax rates for Polish-source interest or dividend payments (20% for interest distributions 19% for dividend payments) and will have to reclaim such tax.
This means that as from payment date Tuesday, 1 January 2019, withholding tax relief/exemption will only be available via the Standard Refund service from the Polish tax authorities.
KELER will no longer support tax relief through the Relief at Source and Quick Refund services for payments sourced in Poland.
Sincerely,
KELER Ltd.