Dog Tax: An Obligation Every Owner Must Remember

Not every dog owner is aware of the procedure that requires them to register their pet and pay a fee for owning it - this is the so-called dog tax. At this point, you might be wondering why you have to pay a tax for a dog and how much such a pet tax might cost. Our article will also explain who is exempt from the dog tax and what penalties you may face for failing to pay it.

Is the dog tax mandatory?

Is the pet tax mandatory? As it turns out, the decision to introduce and enforce it depends on the individual arrangements within each municipality. It is your responsibility to make sure whether you are required to pay the dog tax. Where is this fee applicable? In only a few municipalities, as many have completely abolished it. To ensure whether the dog fee applies in your municipality, contact the local authorities directly or check the information on the municipality's official website.

Where and when to pay the dog tax?

You've taken the first step and now know that the dog fee is one of the taxes you need to include in your budget. Where to pay the dog tax? According to the law, the dog tax in Poland must be paid:

• by making a transfer to the bank account number provided by the municipality
• directly at the municipal office cashier
• to a collector, i.e., a person designated for this purpose working within the given municipality

When do we pay the dog tax? According to the law, if the municipality enforces a dog tax, you are required to pay it by April 30th of each year.

But what if you become the proud owner of a pet in the second half of the year, i.e., after June 30th? The dog ownership tax - regardless of whether your new four-legged friend is adopted or purchased, if you acquire a dog in the second half of the year, you will need to pay half of the amount required by the municipality.

Recently, you haven't bought a dog, but it turned out that your dog family has grown? Puppies that stay with you also need to be registered within two months of their birth. Remember that the dog ownership tax is paid for each pet individually.

How much is the dog tax?

How much is the dog tax? Specific amounts are individually determined by municipalities. It may turn out that the dog ownership fee is a relatively small amount. In some municipalities, it may be the maximum value regulated by law.

Most likely, the dog tax for 2023 will amount to 150.93 PLN. This is the maximum annual dog ownership fee that the municipality can require from you. This amount is set individually each year, and its value can be checked on the municipality's website or official government websites.

Also, remember that the payment is expected not from the dog owner but from its keeper. Often, determining the owner is almost impossible, so tax authorities expect payment from those who care for and supervise the animal.

Who is exempt from the dog tax?

Is the dog tax mandatory? Yes, for most owners who live in a municipality that enforces this fee. Who are the privileged individuals who do not have to worry about the dog tax? Who is exempt from this obligation? These are:

• persons with a disability certificate;
• owners of assistance dogs;
• seniors over 65 years old who take care of their household independently;
• diplomats, consular officials, cooperating individuals bound by international agreements, who do not hold Polish citizenship;
• farmers paying agricultural tax for agricultural land of at least one hectare (dog tax in the countryside does not apply in this case).

Those exempt from the dog tax do not need to pay this fee and do not need to fear penalties imposed on individuals avoiding this legal obligation.

Do you have to pay the dog tax if the dog was adopted? This issue needs to be clarified with the municipal office, as it is another matter decided individually by its representatives. The dog shelter tax may therefore not apply.

Does the dog fee in an apartment building apply? You also need to check this information with your municipality. The fact that the dog lives with you in an apartment building does not affect the tax amount. Regardless of the type of housing, the key factor is whether it is located in a municipality that applies the pet tax.

Do you have to pay a tax for a dog that has a chip? Dog chipping is not only a sign of your responsible approach to caring for it but also a way to avoid the tax. Your municipality may offer an exemption for dog owners whose pets have a special chip that enables quick identification of their owner. Remember that the dog chip must be registered, for example, in the International Animal Database, making it easy for the pet to return quickly to its owner. Check with the municipal office whether the dog fee is required if your dog has a chip!

What is the penalty for not paying the dog tax?

Is it worth the risk of not paying this fee? The penalty for not paying the dog tax is often determined individually, but tax proceedings are required to enforce it. Usually, it is a fine imposed on the dog's keeper up to 500 PLN.

Registration formalities - how to report dog ownership?

Where should dog ownership be reported? Before paying the tax, do not forget the mandatory registration of the pet with your municipality. This is a completely free service and can be done in two ways:

• by completing a paper application and submitting it to the municipal office;
• registering online, provided you have a qualified signature or Trusted Profile.