A Gdańsk restaurant received a fine of 2,500 zlotys after a controlled purchase of shrimp pizza — the tax authorities deemed that an incorrect VAT rate was applied. The owner reacted to the situation with irony and even wanted to send a bouquet of flowers to the inspection as a sign of «gratitude» for the unexpected advertisement, but changed his mind due to the overly complicated tax rules in the floral sector.
The entrepreneur himself reacted to the situation ironically on social media:
“We proudly introduce the most expensive pizza in the history of our establishment. The price is only 2,500 zlotys each! Relax, it’s not inflation, it’s the tax office. It turns out that ringing up shrimp pizza at an 8% VAT instead of 23% in Poland is a crime, assessed by officials at exactly 2,500 zlotys in fines. They say seafood is a luxury, but I didn’t expect our shrimp to cost as much as in an elite restaurant in Monaco,” he wrote on Facebook.
The fine was issued by the Tax Office in Sopot after a controlled purchase. The department employees ordered shrimp pizza, but in the receipt, the dish was recorded as if it did not contain seafood. This became the basis for the accusation of underreporting the tax rate.
In Poland, the standard VAT rate on pizza is 8%. However, if seafood, including shrimp, is included in the composition, a 23% rate applies. Even a small ingredient changes the tax regime of the entire dish, and an error in the receipt is considered a tax violation.
According to the pizzeria owner, he was not aware of the difference in rates and considered shrimp a regular addition to the dish. He has already paid the fine.
Later, the owner humorously stated that he wanted to thank the tax office employees for the unexpected «advertising campaign,» thanks to which his pizzeria became known throughout the country. He even planned to send a large bouquet of roses to the inspection.
However, he had to abandon the idea — due to tax uncertainty:
“Cut flowers are subject to 8% VAT, potted ones also 8%. But if the bouquet includes decorative ribbon or artificial elements — that could be considered a luxury item with 23% VAT, and we risk getting fined again,” he wrote.
