Dividend Tax Calculator (Poland)

Dividends paid to an individual are taxed at a flat 19% rate, known as the Belka tax. The rate is fixed and does not depend on the amount of the dividend or on other income. Tax is charged on the gross amount, with no deduction of costs.

The Belka tax is the common name for the 19% flat tax on capital income introduced in 2002. It covers interest on deposits, fund profits, gains on the sale of shares and dividends.

For dividends from Polish companies the 19% tax is withheld by the payer — the company or the brokerage. The investor receives the net amount and does not need to report this dividend in the annual return.

A dividend from foreign shares is settled by the taxpayer in the PIT-38 return. The tax withheld at source is deducted from the 19% Polish tax due, but only up to the amount of the Polish tax. The difference is topped up in Poland.

Withholding tax is tax collected in the country the dividend comes from, before it is paid out. Its rate depends on that country and on the double taxation treaty with Poland — it is often 15%.

If the foreign tax is below 19% (e.g. 15%), you pay the difference in Poland. If the withholding tax equals or exceeds 19%, the top-up is PLN 0, because you cannot deduct more than the Polish tax due.

No. For domestic dividends the tax is withheld by the payer, so you receive the net amount and do not report it in your annual return. Self-settlement mainly applies to foreign dividends.

Foreign dividends are reported in the PIT-38 form, filed by 30 April of the following year. You enter the income, the 19% tax due and the tax paid abroad, which reduces your liability to the tax office.

No. The calculator is informational only and does not constitute tax advice. Settling foreign dividends can be complex, so consult a tax advisor or accountant if in doubt.