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Dawidek
Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 8
Location: Rybnik
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 Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 6:10 pm Post subject: Another Informed Newbie Still Requires Help |
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Hello!
First, I'd like to thank the people who contributed to the "Informed Newbie Has Most Info But Still Requires Help" and "Steps To Finding Work in Poland" threads. Both are informative and helpful.
My first question has to do with a comment made by someone (Alex Shulgin, if I remember correctly). In a thread about Bydgoszcz, Alex wrote, "... the tired old 'No tax for the first two years' line." I have heard something to the effect that native speakers (perhaps only Americans?) do not have to pay tax for their first two years in Poland. Could someone please explain that statement---is it a rumor, does it refer to only income tax, etc.? What's behind that statement?
Second, in addition to my MA in English, I have a JD. What suggestions does anyone have with regard to specializing in legal English, especially in Warsaw? Which schools give courses in TOLES and/or Cambridge's legal English exam? How does one go about finding work as an "in-house language consultant" (doing proofreading and teaching) for law firms (or other types of firms needing such services)?
Third, what is the going rate for private lessons in Warsaw? Is it really 100 PLN for 60 minutes? If so, is that before or after taxes?
Finally, what recommendations/suggestions can anybody give for apartments in Warszawa? What neighborhoods are all right? What are the going rates for one-room, furnished apartments (something a little better/bigger than the usual "kawelerka") with utilities included?
Thank you all for your time and help. |
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Pollux
Joined: 04 Jan 2006
Posts: 224
Location: PL
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| Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 6:48 pm Post subject: |
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I'll let Alex answer your other questions, but I've had 70 PLN for private lessons and, no, you don't pay taxes for private lessons unless you're stupid enough to declare them.
There are areas of Warsaw you want to stay out of and should budget 1000 -1200 PLN for a flat in a decent area.
Your JD will give you an advantage to land some special jobs. Should you have enough money to wait and look around, you might find some interesting propositions using your degree for more than English teaching. However, you can start teaching English to establish and then move on to better things.
Good luck. |
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philyyy
Joined: 29 May 2005
Posts: 93
Location: Wroclaw
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| Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 5:49 pm Post subject: The tax issue |
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| Having just worked in Poland I have absolutely no idea what tax I did or did not pay, who to, when, why or whatever. I was told how much I would get each month and that's what I got, it wasn't enough to declare it in the U.K. or wherever so I can;t say I could be bothered to ask whether I'd paid any tax or not. Just ask your potential employer what they'll pay you and more likely than that that's what you get. |
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Alex Shulgin
Joined: 20 Jul 2003
Posts: 553
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| Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 9:09 pm Post subject: Re: The tax issue |
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| philyyy wrote: |
| Having just worked in Poland I have absolutely no idea what tax I did or did not pay, who to, when, why or whatever. I was told how much I would get each month and that's what I got, it wasn't enough to declare it in the U.K. or wherever so I can;t say I could be bothered to ask whether I'd paid any tax or not. Just ask your potential employer what they'll pay you and more likely than that that's what you get. |
Stunningly good advice. Apart from two tiny little details. Firstly it is you who'll be taken to court for non-payment of taxes if the school does get inspected by tax officers. Secondly if you are working for a school which doesn't pay tax then you are working for a criminal. While that may not bother you and you might not care about the way that you lower the profession as a whole there is one thing which should concern you: if your boss is happy to rip off the Polish government then how long is he likely to worry before he rips you off.
Tax in Poland is low for us teachers. Under 16% of what we earn. So just pay the tax. Apart from anything else honest employers tend to pay better anyway. |
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guangho
Joined: 16 Oct 2004
Posts: 476
Location: in transit
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| Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 9:39 pm Post subject: Re: The tax issue |
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| Alex Shulgin wrote: |
| philyyy wrote: |
| Having just worked in Poland I have absolutely no idea what tax I did or did not pay, who to, when, why or whatever. I was told how much I would get each month and that's what I got, it wasn't enough to declare it in the U.K. or wherever so I can;t say I could be bothered to ask whether I'd paid any tax or not. Just ask your potential employer what they'll pay you and more likely than that that's what you get. |
Stunningly good advice. Apart from two tiny little details. Firstly it is you who'll be taken to court for non-payment of taxes if the school does get inspected by tax officers. Secondly if you are working for a school which doesn't pay tax then you are working for a criminal. While that may not bother you and you might not care about the way that you lower the profession as a whole there is one thing which should concern you: if your boss is happy to rip off the Polish government then how long is he likely to worry before he rips you off.
Tax in Poland is low for us teachers. Under 16% of what we earn. So just pay the tax. Apart from anything else honest employers tend to pay better anyway. |
To expand on that: I recently got an email inquiring about my old job in Korea. When I said that the school did not pay my pension, taxes or health insurance, the reply was that he would not get his pension anyway, is not hurt by tax evasion and is healthy as an ox. (I'm paraphrasing).
All well and good but ponder this:
If your employer will lie to and cheat the government, what's to keep him from doing the same to you? |
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Dawidek
Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 8
Location: Rybnik
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| Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 6:56 pm Post subject: |
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All good advice. Thank you. It makes wonder how rumors get started.
In addition to my previous questions, I'd like to add one more: what are the advantages of being a "regular" employee of a school versus signing an "umowa o dzielo"? Thanks! |
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Alex Shulgin
Joined: 20 Jul 2003
Posts: 553
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| Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 7:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Dawidek wrote: |
All good advice. Thank you. It makes wonder how rumors get started.
In addition to my previous questions, I'd like to add one more: what are the advantages of being a "regular" employee of a school versus signing an "umowa o dzielo"? Thanks! |
You will not find a school in Poland that will employ you on a fixed work contract. They only use umowa o dzielo. That's because there is far less tax (16% compared to 60%) so they can effectively pay you more and because it is easier to fire you if you're no good. |
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Pollux
Joined: 04 Jan 2006
Posts: 224
Location: PL
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| Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 4:32 pm Post subject: |
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| BTW, Umowa for Dzielo tanslates roughly to 'Contract for Work Performed', meaning you are responsible to declare and pay your taxes. The way I understand this is, you are an independent contractor. The burden is on you not the school. |
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Dawidek
Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 8
Location: Rybnik
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| Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 7:08 pm Post subject: |
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| What thoughts does anyone have about apartments in Warszawa? Which neighborhoods are all right and which should be avoided? What are the going rates for one-room/two-room, furnished apartments (something a little better/bigger than the usual "kawelerka") with utilities included? |
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