Accounting obligations in Poland

Accounting records in Poland

Accounting records constitute a comprehensive system for documenting, storing, and processing all financial and business transactions of a foreign entrepreneur. They include accounting books, VAT registers, fixed asset registers, records of intangible assets, commercial books, and other financial documents (accounting evidence).

The purpose is to ensure complete and reliable documentation of all financial operations in accordance with applicable legal regulations and to enable proper analysis of the financial and economic position of the foreign company.

Types of accounting records in Poland

Under Polish law, companies may use different forms of accounting records:

• Full accounting– the most advanced (detailed) form of accounting. Mandatory for capital companies, limited partnerships, and other entities whose revenues exceed specified thresholds.
• Simplified accounting:

• KPiR, or Tax Revenue and Expenditure Register– a less complex form consisting of tables describing business transactions.
• Revenue register (lump-sum taxation)– used by entrepreneurs settling taxes under the lump-sum regime.

Entrepreneurs starting a business or planning to change their taxation form cannot use the tax card scheme. The tax card has been phased out since 2022 and should not be included.

See also: 2025 – what is the revenue limit for accounting books?

Full accounting in Poland

The rules and regulations of full accounting in Poland are defined by the Accounting Act.

Entities that are obliged to apply the Accounting Act include:

• Joint stock companies,
• Limited liability companies,
• Branch offices of foreign entities,
• Foundations, representation offices,
• Partnerships,
• Entrepreneurs with a total turnover for the prior year exceeding eur 2,000,000

From the first day of operation, these entities must maintain accounting records in Polish and in Polish złoty. The accounting system must comply with applicable accounting and tax regulations.

Accounting records requirements:

• Mandatory from the first day (date of company formation)
• Polish language
• Polish currency (PLN)
• Accounting system compliant with applicable regulations

Financial statements in Poland

Financial statements must be prepared annually by the end of the first quarter following the financial year-end. They must be prepared in electronic format (XML) and electronically signed with a trusted electronic signature by at least one member of the management board.

Statutory audit in Poland

A statutory audit is mandatory if, in the preceding year, at least two of the following thresholds were exceeded:

• Total assets of EUR 2,500,000,
• Net revenue and financial income: EUR 5,000,000 ,
• Average annual employment: more than 50 employees

Additionally, audits are mandatory for joint-stock companies, banks, insurance companies, investment funds, and pension funds.

Approval and filing of financial statements

Shareholders must approve financial statements at the annual general meeting within six months after the end of the financial year. If the financial year coincides with the calendar year, approval must take place no later than June 30 of the following year.

After approval, the company has 15 days to submit the documents to the court repository via:

• the Financial Document Repository (RDF) – for standard submissions,
• the S24 platform – if the company is operated within this system.

Documents must be filed electronically.

Since 2018, all financial statements must be prepared and signed electronically. Trusted electronic signatures issued in different countries may cause technical issues; therefore, using a trusted signature provider recognized in Poland is recommended.

Notification of the Ultimate Beneficial Owner must also be signed with a trusted electronic signature or an ePUAP trusted profile. 

Other financial reports in Poland

• Reporting to Statistics Poland (GUS) – submission of various data, from employment and wages to investments and production. The obligation applies only to entities selected by GUS. Reports may be monthly, quarterly, or annual and must be submitted electronically.
• Reporting to the National Bank of Poland (NBP) – applies to residents conducting international foreign exchange transactions and currency exchange offices. Reports are submitted electronically, often monthly or quarterly.
• INTRASTAT– applies to intra-EU trade in goods. Reporting is mandatory for companies whose value of imports or exports exceeded statistical thresholds in the previous or current year. Declarations are submitted monthly in electronic form via the PUESC platform. 

See also:

Accounting in Poland – how we can help?

We offer comprehensive accounting outsourcing services in Poland, including:

• Accounting in compliance with Polish regulations and IFRS/IAS
• VAT register maintenance,
• Preparation of JPK VAT files
• VAT EU returns,
• CIT calculations,
• Preparation of financial statements ,
• Accounting services for IT companies.

For foreign entities, we offer VAT compliance, income tax compliance, and fiscal representation in Poland.

Learn more: Accounting services in Poland