Year after year, more and more Poles are choosing to work abroad. It turns out that job offers in Austria, among others, are enjoying growing interest, as there's a persistent shortage of skilled workers (welders, electricians, and construction workers). However, concerns about filing income tax returns from abroad can sometimes arise – contradictory and often false information can sometimes cause us to abandon our plans! So, here are some tips on what not to believe if you're interested in working in Austria or another Western country.
Working in Austria or other Western countries can be a very tempting proposition. The terms and conditions offered by local employers are often more favorable than job offers back home. However, Poles sometimes decide against leaving for fear of tax issues. A wealth of false information about these countries can be found online, often unfounded. As a foreign employment agency, we've decided to address these myths. We'll discuss the most common myths.
1. Tax refund from abroad – what is worth knowing?
Online, you'll often encounter claims that additional tax must be paid in Poland on foreign tax refunds. What does this look like in practice? filing a tax return is one of your responsibilities – even if you lived and worked abroad for some time. However, you should be aware that under an agreement between Poland and other countries you don't pay tax on the refund.
Also remember that contrary to popular belief you don't need a specialized company to settle your taxes. Using their services is voluntary... and simply beneficial. People who have ever decided to work in Austria and other countries outside of Poland can outsource their tax returns, saving time and enjoying easier recovery of their taxes. The specialist company 99% is responsible for the proper preparation of the formalities.
We must emphasize that regardless of what job you did in a country other than Poland, settling tax does not result in the loss of the right to a foreign pension. It also does not affect its amount. Your right to pension and social security benefits is inviolable – in Poland as in other countries.
One common myth is that the tax refund will be very small. Some people argue that it's not worth applying for at all... However, it often turns out that after submitting the appropriate documents, you can recover from several hundred to even several thousand zlotys. It all depends primarily on your length of employment and the amount of contributions you pay. Have you taken advantage of a job offer abroad? Familiarize yourself with the tax regulations in the given country and submit the documents to the tax office. It's worth it.
You should know that all employees legally employed in Austria receive their payslip (electronically or by post) at the beginning of the year – between January and March. formal confirmation of income and based on it, you can apply for a refund of any overpaid tax. Once you submit a complete set of documents to the appropriate tax office, the money will be paid within 2 to 6 months.
We also remind you that A tax refund may also be available to a person who worked abroad seasonally. The right to it is not dependent on the duration of the contract – the period of employment only affects its amount.
Work Austria – don't be fooled
If you don't want your limited knowledge of tax law in another country to stop you from leaving, be sure to contact us. We have a wide range of offers for Polish workers interested in working in Austria and other Western countries. Martin Leasing Jobs not only helps you with your job search but also provides support once you're there.
