Dog and cat tax: many owners do not know that they gotta pay by 30 April

There are 2 different financial obligations in Poland to have pets: dog tax and little known but equally crucial tax on civilian law acts erstwhile buying a cat. Both duties may surprise ignorant owners. If they are ignored, there are serious financial consequences.

Dog tax: who pays, how much and where?

The dog taxation functions in the Polish legal strategy since 1991but not all municipalities have decided to download it. It applies, among others, in cities specified as Szczecin, Kraków, Sopot or Inowrocławbut Warsaw, Katowice, Wrocław and Poznań gave up downloading it.

The owners of dogs and the persons on whose property the animal is located are obliged to pay. However, there is simply a directory exemptionswhich includes:

• Persons with disabilities with assistance dog
• Persons with crucial disability
• Seniors over the age of 65 who run a single household
• Farmers with no more than 2 dogs and paying agricultural tax

In 2025 the maximum rate of dog taxation is PLN 178.26 per year. The final amount may be lower and shall be determined individually by the municipality concerned. Payment can be made:

• at the office of the municipality,
• transfer to the specified bank account,
• the collector appointed by the municipality.

The payment deadline is 30 April each year. If the dog went to the owner during the year, he has 2 months to pay the fee.

Consequences of not paying a dog tax

Failure to do so may consequence in with a mandate of up to PLN 500. In utmost cases, the municipality has the right to mention the case to court. Although the amount of taxation is not high, ignoring the rules can lead to importantly higher costs.

Cat taxation – little known but equally important

Although the media is mainly talking about dog tax, cat owners must besides be on guard. However, this is not about the yearly tax, but about the one-off levy on the acquisition of the animal.

So-called ‘Cat tax’ It's actually tax on civilian law (PCC). Applicable erstwhile the acquisition of a cat exceeds the value PLN 1000 and is not documented by a VAT invoice.

Of this work are released:

• Persons who adopted a cat from a shelter
• Persons who received a cat as a donation not exceeding the amount free of tax
• Buyers who received VAT invoice from the registered breeder

How much is it and how do I pay the cat tax?

The taxation rate is 2% of acquisition value. For example, for a cat worth 2000 PLNThe owner should pay PLN 40. The buyer's work is to:

• Declaration PCC-3 at the taxation office,
• Settlement of claims within 14 days from the conclusion of the agreement.

Penalties for evasion

Non-payment of PCC taxation may consequence in financial sanctions against 1/10 to 20 times the minimum wage. Given that since 2025 minimum wage is PLN 4242 grossThe maximum punishment may be extended until 84 840 zł.

Why is it worth remembering these fees?

Although neither the taxation on dogs nor the PCC on cat acquisition are peculiarly high, their ignoring may lead to significant financial problems. deficiency of cognition does not defend against punishment, and municipal and taxation offices regularly carry out checks in this area.

For your own safety:

• Make certain our municipality collects a dog tax,
• Timely settle the claim,
• Report the acquisition of a cat to the taxation office if the value of the transaction exceeds PLN 1000 and we have no invoice.

Approaching End of April This is simply a minute where it is peculiarly worth checking your responsibilities towards public administration. Otherwise, alternatively of feed or vet, money will should be spent on fine or fine.