How do I check my tax refund?

How can I check when I’ll receive my tax refund in 2026? The quickest way to do this is via the e-Tax Office at podatki.gov.pl, where, once you’ve logged in, you’ll be able to see the status, the amount and, often, the exact date of the bank transfer. For PIT returns submitted electronically, the tax office has a maximum of 45 days; for paper returns, 3 months; and for holders of the Large Family Card, 30 days from the submission of the e-return.

Tax refunds in 2026 – when do the 45-day and 3-month deadlines start?

In 2026, you will submit your PIT returns for 2025 from 15 February 2026 to 30 April 2026, and the tax office will begin issuing refunds from 16 February 2026. The 45-day deadline for e-PIT and the 3-month deadline for the paper version are set out in the Tax Ordinance. This translates into a simple rule: if a PIT return is submitted electronically on 15 February 2026, the latest date for a refund is 1 April 2026; and if you submit a paper form on 30 April 2026, the tax office has until as late as 31 July 2026. However, that is not all, because for returns submitted between 1 January and 15 February 2026, the deadline still runs from 15 February 2026, so clicking ‘submit’ earlier does not shorten the statutory 45 days. On the other hand, submitting your return earlier places it higher up the queue at the National Revenue Administration, so in practice many simple e-declarations are processed more quickly. If you’re interested in exactly how to check when you’ll receive your tax refund, first work out the statutory period from the date of effective submission, and only then check the status in the Ministry of Finance’s system.

The e-Tax Office and ‘Twój e-PIT’ show the status, amount and date of the refund

You’ll find the most accurate information about your tax refund in 2026 on the e-Tax Office website, as the ‘Your e-PIT’ service is part of it and operates via podatki.gov.pl. After logging in via your Trusted Profile, mObywatel, e-ID or online banking, go to the ‘Tax Refunds’ tab, where the system displays refunds issued after 1 January 2021, as well as PIT and VAT data from January 2020 onwards. In the table, you’ll see basic information about the refund, and when you click ‘Details’, the exact refund date and payment method – either a bank transfer or a postal order – will appear. The status usually takes one of three forms: ‘In progress’, ‘Completed’ or a message stating the date the transfer was made. The Ministry of Finance has stated that 1 million taxpayers have already filed their 2025 tax returns, so this channel is the primary source of data, rather than a phone call to the tax office. Interestingly, the system also shows deductions made against other liabilities, so you can immediately see whether any overpaid tax has been applied, for example, to outstanding arrears. An overpayment results in a tax refund; your PIT return is sent to the tax office, and your e-PIT account is used both to submit your PIT return and to check the status of your tax refund.

Step-by-step guide to checking your refund status on podatki.gov.pl

You can check the status of your refund in 4 steps if you have an active Trusted Profile or the mObywatel app.

First, go to podatki.gov.pl and log in to the e-Tax Office using your Trusted Profile, the mObywatel app, your e-ID or online banking. Next, select the ‘Your e-PIT’ service or go directly to the ‘Tax Refunds’ tab and check the table for the tax year, the refund amount and the status. Finally, click ‘Details’ to see the exact refund date, the payment method and any notes regarding the offsetting of the overpayment against other liabilities. In practice, users can see the most important information there: how many zlotys will be refunded, when the transfer was made, and whether the tax office has withheld any funds to cover a debt. This service operates 24/7 and eliminates the need to wait on the National Tax Information helpline, which is part of the National Tax Administration. If you’re doing your tax return yourself, a tax calculator can also be helpful for estimating your overpayment before submitting your PIT return, but the calculator’s result isn’t binding, as only an officially submitted return and the calculations made by the tax authorities are legally binding. For those declaring income from contract work, full-time employment and additional sources of income, firmadlakazdego.pl also publishes educational materials on tax formalities, but you can only check the status of your refund via the Ministry of Finance’s systems.

Fastest refund – 30 days with the Large Family Card

Holders of the Large Family Card have the fastest refund route in 2026, as the tax office refunds the overpayment within 30 days of submitting the electronic tax return. This priority stems from the provisions of the Tax Ordinance. To take advantage of this procedure, you must enter your KDR number in the relevant field on the form: field 139 on the PIT-37 form, field 436 on the PIT-36 form, and field 153 on the PIT-28 form. This detail is important, as the absence of a KDR number means you lose priority and revert to the standard 45-day period for e-PIT. The Large Family Card therefore has a direct impact on your tax refund, but only if the return is correctly marked. If the tax return is submitted on 15 February 2026 and contains the correct KDR number, the latest date for the refund is 17 March 2026, rather than 1 April 2026 as with a standard e-PIT. This is precisely why families with at least three children should submit their PIT returns online, as the difference between 30 days and 90 days actually means the funds reach their account up to 60 days sooner.

A PIT amendment changes the refund deadline

Amending a PIT return in 2026 may delay the refund. The provisions of the Tax Ordinance set out separate rules for calculating the deadline following the submission of an amended return. A return filed on 1 March, an amendment filed on 1 April. However, that is not all, as the provisions of the same Act allow the tax office to withhold the refund until the verification process is complete. If the tax office itself corrects an error in the return and the adjustment does not exceed 5,000 zł, it may amend the return ex officio, and the taxpayer receives a certified copy and a period in which to object. In practice, a typo in the PESEL number, an incorrect account number or an unusual tax relief claim can significantly prolong the waiting time. Therefore, before submitting your return, you need to check three things: your PESEL or NIP number, your account number and that your tax relief claims match your supporting documents.

Calling the National Revenue Administration (KAS) and visiting the tax office – what details should you have to hand?

If the system does not display full information, you can also check the refund date by telephone via the National Tax Information Service or directly at your local tax office. To verify your details, the advisor usually needs at least two pieces of information: your taxpayer identification number (PESEL or NIP) and the income amount from your most recent PIT return. The latter is important because the income entry varies depending on the form used, e.g. PIT-37, PIT-36 or PIT-28. The National Tax Information Service is part of the National Tax Administration, so it has access to procedural information, but in practice, the e-Tax Office provides a more accurate picture than a telephone call. If you go to the office in person, take your ID with you, as without it the staff member will not be able to provide details of any overpayment. It is particularly worth visiting the office if 45 days have already passed for an e-PIT return or 90 days for a paper return, and the system still does not show a definite date or indicates that verification is taking a long time. At this point, the office should clarify whether the refund has been formally suspended. Where the delay is solely due to the tax authority’s fault, the provisions of the Tax Ordinance regarding interest on overpayments also apply.

Bank transfer, postal order and ZAP-3

A refund to a bank account is the quickest and free of charge, whilst a postal order is slower and subject to a delivery charge. Individuals who do not run a business must register their bank account using the ZAP-3 form, which can be submitted via the e-Tax Office, by post or in person at the tax office. If the account number has already been registered, you do not need to provide it every year; you only need to update it if you change your account. This is important because a bank transfer to a closed account is returned to the tax office’s deposit account, and the investigation process may take longer. With a postal order, the money is sent to the address stated on the NIP-7, ZAP-3 or CEIDG-1 form. If the postman does not find the taxpayer at home, the funds will be held at the post office following a delivery notice, and any uncollected postal order will be returned to the tax office once the validity period has expired. There is also a minimum payment threshold: if the refund is very small, payment can only be made at the tax authority’s cash desk.

VAT refunds and PIT refunds are two different terms, but you can check them in the same place

Tax refunds do not apply exclusively to PIT, as business owners can also receive VAT refunds, and you can check both types of refund via the e-Tax Office. The information indicates that the refund of excess VAT currently takes between 40 and 60 days. This clearly distinguishes VAT from standard PIT. Once you’ve logged in to the e-Tax Office via your Trusted Profile or mObywatel, you’ll be able to view both PIT and VAT refunds, along with the refund date, the method of payment and information on whether the overpayment has been offset against other liabilities. This is particularly important for people who combine full-time employment with self-employment or who file their tax returns through a business incubator, as they can manage several streams of tax settlements in one place. The mechanism itself remains the same: a tax overpayment results in a tax refund, whilst a tax underpayment requires a payment to be made into your tax micro-account. So, if after your annual tax return you see an additional payment of 420 zł instead of a refund, you pay this into your own tax micro-account rather than waiting for a bank transfer from the tax office.

The most common errors that delay the 2025 tax refund, payable in 2026

Tax returns containing four types of errors take the longest to process: an incorrect account number, out-of-date details for children or a spouse, an incorrectly entered PESEL or NIP number, and unusual tax relief claims without supporting documentation. The first error can hold up the money for longer, as the transfer is returned from the bank to the tax office and requires re-processing. The second error is common with the family tax relief, as a change in family status between 2025 and 2026 without updating the details triggers a manual verification. The third error blocks the taxpayer’s identification right from the outset, whilst the fourth disables the automated process, particularly when the refund exceeds 5,000 zł. However, donating 1.5 per cent of tax does not delay the refund and affects neither the deadline nor the amount of the refund, and the tax relief for young people up to the age of 26 does not result in a faster refund; rather, it often prevents an overpayment from arising, as no PIT advance payments were deducted.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When does the deadline for the payment of the tax overpayment start?

The time limit starts from the date the tax return is effectively filed. For returns submitted electronically, the tax office generally has up to 45 days, and for paper forms, up to 3 months. In practice, the accuracy of the data and the absence of the need for additional verification are also important.

Does the method of receiving the money affect how quickly the refund is paid?

Yes, funds are credited most quickly to the bank account specified with the tax office. A refund by postal order may take longer, as it involves additional time for delivery. It is therefore worth ensuring that your account number is up to date.

What should you do if the refund status remains unchanged for a long time?

Firstly, it is worth checking via the ‘Twój e-PIT’ service whether your tax return has been accepted correctly and whether there are any error messages. If the statutory deadline has passed and the status still does not indicate that the refund has been processed, you can contact the relevant tax office and ask for an explanation. The delay may be due, for example, to formal deficiencies or the need for further verification of the data.

Can amending your tax return delay your refund?

Yes, submitting an amended return may affect the time it takes to receive the money, as the tax office must re-verify the return. This is particularly the case when the amendment changes the amount of the overpayment or adds significant information. It is therefore advisable to check the details in the return carefully before submitting it.