Poland to Strengthen Fight Against Shadow Repairs: Ministry of Finance Prepares Digital Accounting

The Polish Ministry of Finance is looking for ways to reduce the shadow economy in the construction sector. The tax office plans to develop digital accounting and change the rules for issuing invoices and receipts, but specific measures against craftsmen and clients who settle without documents have not yet been announced. This is reported by InPoland.net.pl.

Shadow Repairs in Poland: Why the Ministry of Finance is Preparing Changes

It is estimated that due to the non-payment of VAT on repair work, the Polish budget loses billions of zlotys. Some clients pay for services in cash and do not receive a document confirming the payment. At the same time, this does not necessarily mean that the contractor has concealed income or evaded taxes.

In March 2025, an Interagency Group for Countering the Shadow Economy was established in Poland. It works, among other things, on issues related to the construction sector, car trade, and repairs. The specific checks or sanctions that may be introduced have not yet been clarified by the Ministry of Finance.

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Invoices and Receipts: What Changes are Being Considered by the Polish Ministry of Finance

Among the ideas of the Ministry is the automatic calculation of VAT, known as e-VAT, and the digitization of retail sales. A free accounting tool called KeKR is planned for this purpose. The proposals are expected to be included in a project that will be submitted to the list of legislative and program works of the Council of Ministers.

Separately, Poland is developing an electronic invoice system KSeF. Its implementation is already changing the rules for issuing documents for businesses, although initiatives regarding the accounting of repair services still need to go through legislative procedures. Earlier, Inkorr explained how the electronic invoice system is changing.

A report by UCE RESEARCH and the Fachurra platform showed that almost every third surveyed client of repair, finishing, or construction services did not receive a payment document. A receipt or invoice was held by 26.9% of respondents, while 11.8% received them only upon request.

The absence of a document can complicate the protection of the client's rights, for example, if a complaint needs to be made regarding the quality of work. Therefore, clients should agree in advance on confirmation of payment and keep it. Against the backdrop of increased tax control, the question also arises when transfers in Poland will attract the tax authorities' interest.