Who must file PIT-38 in 2026?
PIT-38 for 2025 must be filed by all individuals who are Polish tax residents and earned income from capital gains in 2025. This applies to investors who conducted buy and sell transactions on financial instruments.
You are required to file PIT-38 if in 2025 you:
- Sold shares listed on a stock exchange (GPW or foreign exchanges)
- Sold ETF units or investment fund shares
- Conducted cryptocurrency transactions (sale, exchange)
- Realized profits from derivative instruments (options, contracts)
- Sold shares or stakes in private companies
Note: Even if you incurred a loss, you must file PIT-38. Reporting a loss allows you to deduct it from income in the next 5 tax years.
PIT-38 filing deadline for 2025
PIT-38 for the 2025 tax year must be filed by April 30, 2026. This deadline applies to both electronic (via e-PIT) and paper submissions.
You can file your return starting February 15, 2026, when the tax office makes pre-filled returns available in the e-PIT system.
Remember that late filing may result in a fine. If you miss the deadline, file as soon as possible – a voluntary disclosure (czynny żal) may protect you from penalties.
Tip: Don't wait until the last day! The e-PIT system can be overloaded at the end of April. File early to avoid stress.
What income must be reported in PIT-38?
In PIT-38 for 2025, you report all income from the sale of securities and derivative financial instruments, as well as from exercising rights from these instruments:
- Polish and foreign stocks – profits from selling shares on GPW, NYSE, NASDAQ, and other exchanges
- ETFs and investment funds – sale of fund units
- Cryptocurrencies – sale of virtual currencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others)
- Derivative instruments – options, futures, CFDs
- Company shares – sale of shares in LLCs or joint-stock companies
Note: Foreign dividends require separate reporting in PIT-38, accounting for tax paid abroad. Polish dividends are settled automatically by the brokerage.
Step by step: How to fill out PIT-38
You can fill out PIT-38 for 2025 yourself or use the Podatek Giełdy tool. Here's a simplified path — for the detailed guide with field numbers (Pos. 22, 23, 34, 47, etc.) see the <a href="/przewodnik-pit-38#jak-wypelnic">full PIT-38 e-PIT filing guide</a>.
- 1Gather documents — download PIT-8C from Polish brokers and transaction reports from foreign ones. In Podatek Giełdy, just import CSV/XLSX.
- 2Calculate revenue and costs — total sales go to Pos. 22, acquisition costs (FIFO) + commissions to Pos. 23. Our calculator generates these amounts automatically.
- 3Calculate income/loss — Pos. 22 minus Pos. 23 = income (Pos. 24) or loss (Pos. 25). Deduct losses from 2020–2024 in Pos. 26.
- 4Calculate 19% tax — from income (Pos. 30) calculate 19% tax (Pos. 31). Deduct any foreign capital gains tax (Pos. 34).
- 5Foreign dividends (Section G) — enter dividend income in Pos. 47, 19% tax in Pos. 48, WHT deduction in Pos. 49.
- 6Submit the return — attach PIT-ZG for foreign income, sign with Profil Zaufany and submit via e-PIT.
When do you need PIT-ZG?
The PIT-ZG attachment is required when you earned income from abroad. This applies to investors using foreign brokers such as Interactive Brokers, DEGIRO, Trading212, eToro, Revolut, or Saxo Bank.
PIT-ZG must be filled out separately for each country where you earned income. If you invested through Interactive Brokers in US stocks and Irish ETFs, you need to submit two PIT-ZG attachments.
- Income from foreign stock exchanges (NYSE, NASDAQ, LSE, XETRA, etc.)
- Dividends from foreign company shares
- Profits from cryptocurrencies on foreign exchanges
- Income from derivative instruments on foreign markets
Tip: Podatek Giełdy automatically identifies which transactions require PIT-ZG and groups them by country.
How to calculate tax on stocks and ETFs?
Calculating tax on stocks and ETFs for 2025 is based on the FIFO method (First In, First Out). This means that when selling, you first "settle" the oldest purchase lots.
Here's how to calculate tax step by step:
- 1Determine revenue – sale value × NBP exchange rate from the day before the transaction (for foreign transactions)
- 2Determine acquisition cost – purchase price × NBP exchange rate from the day before purchase (FIFO), plus commissions
- 3Calculate income – revenue minus acquisition cost. If the result is negative, you have a loss.
- 4Calculate tax – 19% of total annual income. Deduct losses from 2020–2024 if applicable.
Note: For transactions in foreign currencies, the NBP exchange rate is crucial. Use the average rate from the business day preceding the transaction date.
How to report cryptocurrencies in PIT-38?
Cryptocurrencies (virtual currencies) are reported in PIT-38 under Article 30b of the PIT Act. Taxation applies to the sale of virtual currencies for PLN or other fiat currency, as well as exchanging them for goods or services.
Operations that are <strong>not considered</strong> a taxable sale and don't require reporting:
- Exchanging one cryptocurrency for another (e.g., BTC → ETH) – tax neutral
- Transferring cryptocurrencies between your own wallets
- Receiving airdrops (taxed only upon sale)
Taxable operations:
- Selling cryptocurrency for PLN, EUR, USD, or other fiat currency
- Paying for goods or services with cryptocurrency
- Selling NFTs for fiat currency
Note: Losses from cryptocurrencies can only be offset against cryptocurrency income in the next 5 years. They cannot be deducted from stock gains.
How to report foreign dividends?
Dividends from foreign companies require special attention when filing PIT-38 for 2025. Unlike Polish dividends (where tax is withheld by the brokerage), you must report foreign dividends yourself.
Key rules for reporting foreign dividends:
- Convert the dividend to PLN using the NBP exchange rate from the day before the payment
- Deduct withholding tax paid at source according to the double taxation treaty
- Pay the difference up to 19% in Poland if the foreign tax was lower
- Attach PIT-ZG with the dividend amount and tax paid abroad
Example: Apple (US) dividend
You received $100 in dividends. The US withheld 15% at source ($15). In Poland, you need to pay an additional 4% (19% - 15% = 4%), approximately $4 converted to PLN at the NBP rate.
Most common PIT-38 filing mistakes
Based on our users' experience, here are the most common mistakes when filing PIT for 2025:
Tip: Podatek Giełdy automatically avoids these mistakes. The system uses correct NBP rates, the FIFO method, and generates PIT-ZG where required.
How can Podatek Giełdy help you?
Podatek Giełdy automates the entire PIT-38 filing process for 2025. Here's what you can do:
- Import reports from over 30 brokers (Interactive Brokers, XTB, DEGIRO, Trading212, Revolut, and more)
- The system automatically calculates tax using FIFO with correct NBP exchange rates
- Get ready-to-use amounts for PIT-38 and PIT-ZG forms
- Foreign dividends are automatically converted and settled
- Report cryptocurrencies in accordance with Article 30b of the PIT Act
- Review transaction history and calculation details
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the PIT-38 deadline for 2025?
The deadline for filing PIT-38 for 2025 is April 30, 2026. You can file electronically via e-Deklaracje or the Twój e-PIT portal.
Who must file PIT-38?
PIT-38 must be filed by individuals who earned income from selling securities, derivative financial instruments, or shares in companies during the tax year.
What is the capital gains tax rate?
The capital gains tax rate in Poland is 19% (the so-called Belka tax). This applies to profits from selling stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and other instruments.
Can I deduct losses from previous years?
Yes, capital losses can be deducted over the next 5 tax years. A loss from one year reduces income in subsequent years.
How to report foreign dividends?
Foreign dividends are reported in PIT-38 Section G. Tax paid abroad can be deducted using the proportional deduction method. Additionally, you must file the PIT-ZG attachment.
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