Poland is an attractive investment zone, tax exemptions depending not only on the location of the investment, but also on its nature and quality of created jobs - these are the main assumptions of the document that will change the rules of functioning of Special Economic Zones in Poland. The draft law on supporting new investments was adopted by the government on February 20, 2018.
It is anticipated that work on the bill in parliament will end in the first quarter of 2018 so that entrepreneurs can use the facilities at the beginning of the second quarter.
In accordance with the draft act on the rules for supporting new investments and the draft regulation on public aid granted to entrepreneurs in areas under the Act, the following changes will be introduced:
The currently operating special economic zones will be replaced by a single investment area that will cover the entire country.
In poviats, the functions of the management company will be fulfilled by the SEZ, which acts as a contact point in the region as part of the investor service system, as well as being the regional coordinator of granting public aid in the area of the instrument of tax exemptions and government subsidies.
Tax incentives will be available throughout Poland (without territorial restrictions), but in accordance with the rules regarding the purpose of the area.
The tax exemption instrument will be available for new investments, which include the creation of a new production plant and reinvestment.
The investor will have to meet the quantitative and qualitative criteria that will be tailored to the conditions of the specific location.
Quantitative - specific investment outlays dependent on the unemployment rate in the poviat and the size of the enterprise for Łomża will be:
Small entrepreneur PLN 0.5 million
Medium-sized entrepreneur PLN 2 million
Large entrepreneur PLN 10 million
Qualitative - including:
Structural development - measured on the basis of: employment of staff with specialist education or high-paid jobs; compliance of the investment with the current development policy of the country and export of products or services;
Scientific development - calculated on the basis of cooperation with research and academic centers as well as R&D activities; development of sectoral clusters;
Sustainable development - calculated on the basis of investment location (e.g. in areas with high unemployment rates); additional points for support for micro, small and medium enterprises, as well as for support for medium and small towns and villages;
Human resources development - measured according to additional employee benefits offered, e.g. employee care activities, or support in acquiring education and qualifications.
Maximum investment project can receive 10 points. The quality criteria will be met after obtaining 60%. In the case of investments located in areas with 35% public aid intensity, the threshold decreases from 60% to 50%, in areas with 50% public aid intensity (Łomża) the threshold decreases from 60% to 40%.
The period of using the tax exemption will depend on the intensity of public aid, the higher the intensity, the longer the exemption period from 10, 12 or 15 years (Łomża).
The condition of obtaining preferences will be the investor's commitment to scientific development, cooperation with research institutions, universities, but preferences for employees, including healthcare or training.
More information on the website of the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Technology Development.
