Biznes Fakty
Another presidential veto? The head of the chancellery spoke out on the alcohol excise tax increase.
President Karol Nawrocki will not endorse the legislation aimed at increasing taxes, as stated by Zbigniew Bogucki, head of the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland, concerning the government’s proposal to raise excise taxes on alcoholic beverages. Marcin Przydacz, who leads the President’s Office of International Policy, was asked for his views on this issue on Monday during an appearance on TVN24.
„If the president has indicated he won’t endorse a bill to raise taxes, then he will not endorse such a bill. That’s final. We are unaware of the specifics of this legislation, as there may be increases in some areas and reductions in others. That is the discussion we are having today,” Zbigniew Bogucki noted on Radio ZET on Sunday.
He clarified that this aligns with the commitments made by President Nawrocki during his electoral campaign.
„The president’s stance, which I discussed with him today, is unequivocal. He does not consent to raising any taxes or levies,” Bogucki further remarked in an interview with reporters on Monday.
Marcin Przydacz, head of the International Policy Bureau at the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland, stated on Monday in the „Rozmowa Piaseckiego” program on TVN24 that „the president is not in favor of increasing levies, taxes, or excise duties.”
When questioned about the potential increase in excise tax, he pointed out that Zbigniew Bogucki, who is formulating an opinion on this matter, possesses more expertise on the subject.
„I cannot disclose what decisions the president will make, as he will announce them himself. Should he endorse the bill, he will make that known. If he returns it to parliament—since parliament has the option to amend the bill if it desires—he will announce that as well,” Przydacz concluded.
President Karol Nawrocki, with Zbigniew Bogucki, head of the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland, in the background Albert Zawada/PAPExcise duty increase
On Thursday, August 21, the Ministry of Finance announced a 15 percent hike in excise tax on alcoholic beverages effective from January 1, 2026. A year later, these rates will see an additional 10 percent increase.
The Ministry justifies this decision by referencing data from the Central Statistical Office, which indicates that as average salaries rise, a monthly wage can purchase more alcoholic beverages. The intended changes aim to curb alcohol consumption within the nation.
Increase in sugar tax
The ministry also intends to raise the sugar tax. They referenced 2019 data from the National Health Fund, which revealed that nearly two-thirds of adult Poles were overweight – 74% of men (including 28% classified as obese) and 50% of women (with 21% classified as obese).
As reported, the revision of the sugar fee, which also includes charges for caffeine or taurine content found in energy drinks, proposes an increase in the fee: a fixed fee for sugar content of up to 5 g in 100 ml of drink or for the presence of sweeteners from PLN 0.50 to PLN 0.70; a variable fee for each gram of sugar exceeding 5 g in 100 ml of drink from PLN 0.05 to PLN 0.10; for caffeine or taurine content from PLN 0.10 to PLN 1.00; and a maximum fee from PLN 1.20 to PLN 1.80 per 1 liter of drink.
Increased CIT for banks
Legislative efforts are also underway for a bill that would raise the corporate income tax (CIT) rate for banks while reducing the tax rate for certain financial institutions. This bill has been added to the agenda of the Council of Ministers.
The Ministry of Finance anticipates that the target CIT rate for banks will increase to 23% by 2028, up from the current 19%. During 2026-2027, the CIT rates would be set at 30% and 26%, respectively.
The Ministry estimates that the rise in the CIT rate for banks will enhance CIT revenues in 2026 by approximately PLN 6.5 billion, and over the next decade, it is expected to contribute over PLN 20 billion to the budget.
The president’s initial veto
On Thursday, President Karol Nawrocki reviewed 22 bills. He vetoed an amendment to the so-called wind farm law
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