prawopro
CalculatorsGuidesLaw firmsAccounting firmsKnowledge base
LoginB2B
  • Login
  • B2B
  • Calculators
  • Guides
  • Law firms
  • Accounting firms
  • Knowledge base
HomeGuidesFinanceTaxes

Tax audit — process, rights and duties

Calculate in 30 seconds

Use our calculator — result in seconds, no registration required.

Tax interest calculator — arrears interest

Table of contents

  • What “tax audit” means in practice
  • Formal procedures and legal basis
  • Who conducts the control and in what matters
  • How the control proceeds
  • Notice and initiation
  • The course in practice
  • Document scope and obligations
  • Taxpayer rights
  • After the control
  • How the control ends in different procedures
  • How to prepare
  • Most common mistakes
  • How to identify the procedure from documents
  • When to seek support
  • Legal basis
  • Related topics
  • Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

“Tax audit” is a term used broadly in practice, but not always precisely. Most often it refers to control activities carried out by the National Revenue Administration under various procedures. Which procedure applies is determined by the content of the official letter.

What “tax audit” means in practice

There is no single procedure in law called “tax audit”. In practice this term usually covers:

  • tax inspection,
  • customs and tax control,
  • verification activities when the office reviews settlements in a simpler way.

For the taxpayer the key is to determine which procedure the authority used, because rights, obligations and next steps depend on it. The table below is illustrative — the legal basis in the letter is decisive.

Formal procedures and legal basis

Colloquial termFormal procedureLegal basisConducted by
Tax auditTax inspectionTax OrdinanceTax office
Tax auditCustoms and tax controlKAS ActCustoms‑tax office
Tax auditVerification activitiesTax OrdinanceTax office

Who conducts the control and in what matters

The control is carried out by tax offices or customs‑tax offices. It may concern tax settlements, records, sales documentation, tax refunds or other areas indicated in the initiation documents.

How the control proceeds

Notice and initiation

In many cases the office notifies of the intention to control and indicates the scope. In practice there are situations where control may start without prior notice. Therefore, do not assume a single scenario — read the documents from the office.

In a tax inspection, notice and statutory deadlines generally apply, but exceptions and earlier initiation with consent are possible. In customs and tax control, the rules may differ, so identifying the procedure from the letter is crucial.

The course in practice

A typical course looks like this:

  • initiation and scope definition,
  • analysis of documents and data,
  • opportunity to submit explanations,
  • completion with a protocol or control result.

The scope depends on the procedure. A tax inspection differs from customs and tax control, though both require organized documentation.

Document scope and obligations

Most often these are:

  • tax books and records,
  • returns and JPK files,
  • contracts and invoices,
  • payment confirmations and statements,
  • correspondence related to settlements.

The document scope should match the control scope. The taxpayer must provide them within the indicated scope. If the office requests information beyond scope, ask for clarification.

Taxpayer rights

You have the right to:

  • information about scope and legal basis,
  • submitting explanations and objections,
  • acting through a representative,
  • receiving the final document (protocol or result).

Calm, factual communication with the office makes the process much easier.

After the control

After the control the authority presents findings. If irregularities are found, further actions are possible, e.g., corrections, tax proceedings or other procedures. At this stage analyze the final document and decide whether additional explanations are needed.

How the control ends in different procedures

  • Tax inspection ends with delivery of a protocol. After receiving it, you can submit objections and explanations within the statutory time.
  • Customs and tax control ends with delivery of a control result, which includes findings and instructions.

This distinction matters because the final document determines the next steps.

How to prepare

The best preparation is order in documents and consistency of records. Check whether returns match books and whether transactions have confirmations. Specialist support is particularly helpful for complex settlements.

Most common mistakes

  • inconsistencies between returns and records,
  • incomplete transaction documents,
  • unclear internal procedures,
  • late or imprecise responses to requests.

How to identify the procedure from documents

The simplest way is to check what documents were delivered at the start. Different documents apply to verification activities, tax inspection and customs and tax control. Pay attention to:

  • the name and legal basis in the letter,
  • scope and period covered,
  • the authority in charge,
  • information about rights and obligations.

If documents are unclear, ask the office to clarify the scope or legal basis. This helps avoid misunderstandings later.

When to seek support

Support is useful when the case is complex, involves large amounts or non‑standard transactions. It can also help prepare objections or organize documentation before the control.

Legal basis

  • Tax Ordinance (Journal of Laws 2025 item 111) — consolidated text
  • Act on the National Revenue Administration (Journal of Laws 2025 item 1131) — consolidated text

Related topics

  • Tax inspection
  • Verification activities
  • Customs and tax control

Note: this text is informational and does not constitute legal or tax advice.

Try it in practice

Use our calculator — result in seconds, no registration required.

  • Tax interest calculator — arrears interest
  • VAT net‑gross calculator
  • Lump‑sum tax calculator — rates & advances

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Czy „kontrola skarbowa” to formalny tryb postępowania?+
W praktyce to potoczne określenie działań kontrolnych fiskusa. Formalne tryby wynikają z przepisów i zależą od sprawy.
Czy kontrola zawsze jest zapowiedziana?+
Nie zawsze. Zawiadomienie jest częste, ale przepisy przewidują sytuacje, w których kontrola może rozpocząć się bez wcześniejszej zapowiedzi.
Jak odróżnić tryb kontroli z dokumentów?+
Sprawdź nazwę trybu, podstawę prawną, zakres oraz organ wskazany w piśmie. To jednoznacznie wskazuje procedurę.
Jakie dokumenty najczęściej są wymagane?+
Najczęściej dokumenty księgowe i ewidencyjne, deklaracje, umowy oraz potwierdzenia transakcji. Zakres zależy od celu kontroli.
Czy mogę działać przez pełnomocnika?+
Tak. Możesz ustanowić pełnomocnika, który będzie reprezentować Cię w kontakcie z organem.
Co zrobić po otrzymaniu protokołu lub wyniku kontroli?+
Warto spokojnie przeanalizować ustalenia, przygotować ewentualne wyjaśnienia i skonsultować dalsze kroki.

Related calculators

  • Tax interest calculator — arrears interest
  • VAT net‑gross calculator
  • Lump‑sum tax calculator — rates & advances

Related guides

  • Tax inspection — process and taxpayer rights
  • Customs and tax control — scope and process
  • Verification activities — what they are and how they proceed
  • Tax interest — rules and calculation

Choose an accounting firm

Compare firms by specialization, city, and ratings. You contact the selected firm directly.

  • Audyt i Księgowość Gdańsk

    Gdańsk0.0 (0 reviews)

    Audyt finansowy, due diligence, księgowość pełna dla spółek. Obsługa holdingów i grup kapitałowych.

    Service areasFinancial auditCompanies accounting
  • Biuro Rachunkowe Kraków

    Kraków0.0 (0 reviews)

    Kadry, płace i księgowość dla małych firm. PPK, umowy cywilnoprawne, rozliczenia miesięczne.

    Service areasPayroll & HRSole trader accounting
  • Księgowość Warszawa Centrum

    Warszawa0.0 (0 reviews)

    Pełna obsługa księgowa dla JDG i spółek. Rozliczenia VAT, ZUS, PIT, CIT. Konsultacje online i w biurze.

    Service areasSole trader accountingCompanies accounting
Open accounting firms directory

Choose an accounting firm

Compare firms by specialization, city, and ratings. You contact the selected firm directly.

Audyt i Księgowość Gdańsk

Gdańsk0.0 (0 reviews)

Audyt finansowy, due diligence, księgowość pełna dla spółek. Obsługa holdingów i grup kapitałowych.

Service areasFinancial auditCompanies accounting

Biuro Rachunkowe Kraków

Kraków0.0 (0 reviews)

Kadry, płace i księgowość dla małych firm. PPK, umowy cywilnoprawne, rozliczenia miesięczne.

Service areasPayroll & HRSole trader accounting

Księgowość Warszawa Centrum

Warszawa0.0 (0 reviews)

Pełna obsługa księgowa dla JDG i spółek. Rozliczenia VAT, ZUS, PIT, CIT. Konsultacje online i w biurze.

Service areasSole trader accountingCompanies accounting
Open accounting firms directory