The RTV subscription will be automatically added to the tax? Changes announced

The fresh coalition plans revolutionary changes in public tv funding. It is preparing to introduce 2 utmost options: the full abolition of the subscription or the introduction of a compulsory fee for each citizen. According to the main initiator of the plan, this fee would be ‘symbolic’.

Currently subscription is mandatory for tv holders, nevertheless the fresh government intends to make changes in the law to adapt them to modern realities. He wants to carry out an update of the bill to adapt it to the current times and manner of media consumption.

Will there be a fresh form of subscription settlement?

Recently, the interest in the subject has returned, mainly due to Bogdan Zdrojewski, president of the Sejm Committee on Culture, who defined the subscription as an “unfair racket”. He besides pointed to possible alternatives to the current public tv financing system. Its proposals include either the introduction of a "symbolic compulsory fee on each citizen" or the full abolition of the subscription, leaving subsidies from the budget, but of lower value than at present.

An interesting aspect is that the proposal to introduce a symbolic compulsory fee could be accepted, but would not compensate for the proceeds from the current subscription. In 2022, the proceeds from the subscription for Polish tv amounted to just over PLN 2 billion. If each of the Poles working only paid gold per month, the proceeds from this would scope PLN 192 million.

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This thought had already been analysed, trying to find ways to force everyone to pay this kind of fee. In 2017, a plan appeared for specified a fee to be automatically added to the settlement of PIT income tax. At that time, everyone would gotta pay this amount, since supervision of its regulation would be on the side of the taxation Offices. However, this thought has never been put into effect, nor has it even been extensively discussed in the parliamentary debate.

Nevertheless, the majority of Poles are in favour of eliminating the subscription fee for radio and television, which is regularly confirmed by the results of cyclical surveys conducted by various media.

Ignacy Michałowski

OSINT investigator with experience in global journalism projects. It has been publishing materials for over 20 years for the largest releases. In social activities he engaged in various projects and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of people, especially those of mediocre communities. He was besides active in the fight for human rights. Contact: [email protected]