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.
Sam przedsiębiorca zareagował na sytuację ironicznie w mediach społecznościowych
„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.
Mandate from the Tax Office in Sopot after a controlled purchase
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.
Według właściciela pizzerii, nie był świadomy różnicy w stawkach i uważał krewetki za zwykły dodatek do dania. Już zapłacił grzywnę.
Później właściciel żartobliwie stwierdził, że chciałby podziękować pracownikom urzędu skarbowego za niespodziewaną "kampanię reklamową", dzięki której jego pizzeria stała się znana w całym kraju. Nawet planował wysłać duży bukiet róż do inspekcji.
Jednak musiał porzucić ten pomysł — z powodu niepewności podatkowej
„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.
