Debt of Social Insurance Institution Totals Billions of Zlotys

Polish entrepreneurs must pay social insurance contribution to ZUS which later allocates the funds to finance healthcare, pensions and some social benefits. This institution has billions of zloty on its accounts every month. But what is more interesting, not taxpayers only owe money to ZUS. It can be vice versa.

Some time ago, the Social Insurance Institution distributed letters to business owners with their end-year balance statements. The document displays all payments the company made to the institution. It appears to be that many companies have overpaid to ZUS. There is a company which paid 20 million zlotys extra!

1 000 000 taxpayers in Poland

So, if a taxpayer finds out that they have paid too much, they need to get the verification from ZUS first. The statements display balance as of December 31, 2018, while business owners get the letter several weeks after that date. If there is an overpayment, the company may claim the amount from ZUS by filling a suitable request. The institution will transfer the money to the company’s bank account.

Note that if the amount is not significant it might be better to do nothing and the overpayment will be deducted from your liabilities later. It is up to you to decide how to act in this situation.

In total, there are about 1 000 000 taxpayers in Poland who overpaid in 2018. ZUS encourages these companies to contact them via Electronic Services Platform which allows filing documents and getting in touch with ZUS advisers.