What to the tax office for wedding gifts? “May impose a penalty tax on the spouses”

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In Poland, the provisions on donations clearly state that the tax – also on wedding gifts – depends on the degree of kinship between the giver and the recipient, and on the value of the donation itself. – The Tax Office has the right to find a donation even if the bride and groom do not report it – says Karolina Dokić-Pietuszko from the wedding portal PlanujemyWesele. – Of course, this is not about checking the contents of the envelopes. Tax officials have other methods, described precisely in Polish legislation, so it is worth being aware of their rights – adds our expert.

Parents, children and grandparents carry gifts

Immediate family is the group of donors with the highest tax-free donation limit. The closest family of the recipient as understood by the tax office are parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, great-grandparents, great-grandchildren, stepchildren, stepmother and stepfather. If in the last 5 years we have not received more than PLN 9,637.00 from one of these persons, we do not have to settle accounts with the Tax Office. – Even if the value of the donation is higher than PLN 9,637.00, there is a possibility of tax exemption. You must submit an appropriate declaration to the appropriate Tax Office within 6 months of receiving it – our expert suggests. So it is a good advice to make sure that any money donation is made by bank transfer or postal order if possible.

Surprising generosity of extended family and friends

If distant relatives surprise the young with a valuable gift, they should also estimate its value. The second tax group includes those family members with whom we are not the closest relatives, i.e. descendants of siblings (e.g. grandchildren of a sister or brother’s children), siblings of parents, descendants and spouses of stepchildren, spouses of siblings and spouses, spouses of siblings of spouses and spouses of other descendants. , that is, for example, the wife of a grandson.

In the case of a valuable gift by one of these persons, the limit of the value of the donation, which will not be subject to a tax fee, is PLN 7276.00. As with the limits of donations from the immediate family, it is about donations received from one person over 5 years

– informs the expert from the website PlanujemyWesele.

The Tax Office also distinguishes a third group of donors: it includes all the other people who are not related to the recipients. So if, within 5 years, the bride and groom accept a donation from a friend, a gift worth more than PLN 4,902.00, it will be subject to tax liability (as in other cases it is a donation from one person). After exceeding the above-mentioned of limits, the tax is charged on the resulting surplus.

Consequences for latecomers

If the Tax Office finds out that, for example, the honeymoon purchases of the newlyweds or an expensive wedding were financed by donations not reported to the tax, then it may impose a penalty tax of 20% on the spouses.

Many couples whose adoption is sponsored by their parents just enter their parents’ names on their contracts with wedding service providers. Why? Because then the Tax Office will not question these transactions, nor think that it is a donation

– explains Karolina Dokić-Pietuszko.

Our expert points out that if the gifts do not fall under the tax obligation, we have an obligation to report the donation within 6 months. If we are obliged to pay the tax, we have one month to submit the relevant declarations to the Tax Office appropriate for the place of residence. On the basis of the submitted declarations, the tax office will calculate the tax due.