Press Release: State aid: Commission opens an investigation into the Polish tonnage tax scheme for international maritime transport

The Commission has decided to open a formal investigation into certain aspects of a measure by the Polish authorities, whereby entities liable for taxes in Poland and engaged in international maritime transportation could change the tax base for their operating profits. Under the notified measure, companies fulfilling certain criteria could opt for a tonnage tax based on the net tonnage of their fleet, in place of the usual corporation tax levied on the profits derived from their maritime activities. The notified scheme was scheduled to run for ten years (from 2007).