Brussels, 23/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 22 October, the European Commission sent Poland a reasoned opinion requesting that it change its tax rules, which treat contributions to certain private pension accounts opened in Polish financial institutions more favourably than those opened in other member states.
Polish rules stipulate that private pension contributions are only tax-deductible when they are paid into Individual Pension Insurance Accounts (IKZE) opened by Polish investment funds, exchange maker houses, insurance establishments, banks and pension funds. Such domestic payments are, therefore, treated more favourably than contributions paid into similar financial products and institutions established in other EU member states and European Economic Area states. Such a difference in tax treatment may constitute an infringement of the freedom to provide services and the free movement of capital. In the absence of a satisfactory response within two months, the Commission may refer Poland to the European Court of Justice. (Original version in French by Elodie Lamer)