Poland's accession to the Common Market has required the Polish legislature to make many changes in the law. As a rule, their justification is the necessity to adapt the Polish legal order to EU regulations, and the same was true of laws on taxes. The long-awaited and much-discussed Law on Value Added Tax is the result of the obligation to harmonize regulations on indirect taxes. It became effective on April 20, 2004, but most of its provisions will be applicable as of May 1 this year.

The "Guide" discusses the obligations of VAT taxpayers that are related to our accession to the EU, as well as points out the positive effects of our membership in the field of taxes. The study includes a detailed characterization of the new solutions, provides definitions, discusses new tax institutions. The first part of the study focuses on presenting information on actions related to the mere fact of entry into force of the new law. In this regard, taxpayers should make decisions as soon as possible. The EU legal order and the new rights of Polish taxpayers are also briefly presented. All registration activities required for each category of taxpayer are also discussed. The subject and object of taxation are described, as well as the rules for making tax settlements and tax refunds.