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Sending Western Union cash to friends in Poland - questions


posts: 22

eberhartThreads: 10
Posts: 61
Joined: Mar 31, 11 ♂ 		Edited by: eberhart  Dec 23, 11, 10:23    #1
I am planning to send cash via Western Union to some friends in Poland. On my end there is no issue but I wonder about on their end as far as taxes and receiving the money. Does Western Union there report it to the tax service? And if so what are the triggering amounts that would cause them problems? Like is there a limit or number of transfers that would have them flagged for being checked up on? I know with the "War on Terror" etc cash movements are a point of hassle so don't want to cause problems if I can break it up in smaller amounts etc. I am not sure how a money transfer is considered by the Polish tax service...if its income etc and is reported by the Western Union or bank to the government. Don't want to make trouble for them.
bullfrogThreads: 4
Posts: 390
Joined: Apr 23, 09 ♂ 		 Dec 23, 11, 10:51    #2
I never understood why anyone would use Western Union for money transfers.. Their prices are extortionate compared to most banks..
sa11yThreads: 4
Posts: 191
Joined: Dec 12, 11 ♀ 		 Dec 23, 11, 10:56    #3
Now - I'm probably asking for trouble here, but apparently sex services are not taxed :) This sound like a big joke (and I'm not even sure if it's true) but apparently a good way to avoid taxes is to declare earning as income from prostitution... As far as this does not involve soliciting or organised activity this is apparently legal... I know a friend of mine who was once prepared to explain he undeclared income like this (this was when she was earning her salary abroad where she was illegally employed, before Poland becoming part of EU). Luckily she was never questioned...
Now the real problem - how do you convince your friend ;)
Other that that there is also "darowizna" - as far as I know this is not taxed (but I'm not sure about the limit) - it will be easier for your friends to find out what they can and cannot receive.
geroThreads: 1
Posts: 13
Joined: Nov 14, 11 ♂ 		 Dec 23, 11, 12:17    #4
All i know about Western Union cash every country have here rules so you have to go to Western Union in your country and ask them. For example in EGYPT you have limite to transfer per day Max. 5000$ and they take from you commission 50$ for every 1000$ with max commission 200$ for 4000$ or 5000$, and you will not make trouble for them.
JonnyMThreads: 16
Posts: 4,487
Joined: Mar 9, 11 ♂ 		 Dec 23, 11, 12:25    #5
eberhart:
Does Western Union there report it to the tax service?

No. No problem. Western Union only know the name (and will need to see the person's ID) but they don't report anything to the tax office unless they are told to.
The person collecting the money will need to give the amount (and what currency it's in), the control number your name and the country you're sending it from. No address is necessary in Poland. They will of course record the person's ID number when collecting the money.
eberhart:
And if so what are the triggering amounts that would cause them problems?

If it was a bank, 15000 Euros would be the triggering amount. Western Union probably have to follow that rule, however I used them the other day to send something to Poland and I don't remember their website mentioning it.
eberhart:
Like is there a limit or number of transfers that would have them flagged for being checked up on?

See above. If the person collects the money from a branch of a bank that has Western Union facilities, that bank might have their own rules about payments. How much were you thinking of sending?
eberhart:
I am not sure how a money transfer is considered by the Polish tax service...if its income etc and is reported by the Western Union or bank to the government.

In theory gifts should be declared by the recipient (as Sa11y says, the darowizna rule allows smaller ones to be tax free under some circumstances) however declaring gifts is the personal duty of the recipient when they fill in their tax return. Sending by Western Union should be OK and you shouldn't worry.
bullfrog:
I never understood why anyone would use Western Union for money transfers.. Their prices are extortionate compared to most banks..

Speed and relative privacy. And actually not extortionate if you're in certain countries where Western Union is cheaper than the banks. Or if your bank isn't a correspondent bank to the one you're sending to. Plus of course the contents of a Polish bank account are not private, and if the person owes some money to the state (for example ZUS) their bank account may be frozen.
bullfrogThreads: 4
Posts: 390
Joined: Apr 23, 09 ♂ 		 Dec 23, 11, 13:54    #6
JonnyM:
And actually not extortionate if you're in certain countries where Western Union is cheaper than the banks. Or if your bank isn't a correspondent bank to the one you're sending to


Well, if you're sending euros from a SEPA country (eurozone plus a couple of others countries such as Poland, Switzerland.;) to another SEPA country, the cost is normally zero. If you want to send PLN to Poland, send euros to the recipient's bank account, then the recipient takes it from the account in cash and exchanges throught a kantor. Much cheaper than western union..
delphiandomineThreads: 42
Posts: 9,954
Joined: Nov 25, 08 ♂ [Suspended] 		 Dec 23, 11, 13:57    #7
bullfrog:
If you want to send PLN to Poland, send euros to the recipient's bank account, then the recipient takes it from the account in cash and exchanges throught a kantor.


Is it actually possible to withdraw Euro from the bank in Poland?
bullfrogThreads: 4
Posts: 390
Joined: Apr 23, 09 ♂ 		 Dec 23, 11, 14:00    #8
Of course, if the account is in euros..
JonnyMThreads: 16
Posts: 4,487
Joined: Mar 9, 11 ♂ 		Edited by: JonnyM  Dec 23, 11, 14:06    #9
bullfrog:
Well, if you're sending euros from a SEPA country (eurozone plus a couple of others countries such as Poland, Switzerland.;) to another SEPA country, the cost is normally zero. If you want to send PLN to Poland, send euros to the recipient's bank account, then the recipient takes it from the account in cash and exchanges throught a kantor. Much cheaper than western union..

If you're sending it from outside the Eurozone (i.e. most of the world) it's rather different. And if the banks use an agency, you have to pay the agency fee. Western Union is still cheaper. And much quicker.
SeanusThreads: 22
Posts: 30,158
Joined: Dec 25, 07 ♂ 		 Dec 23, 11, 14:07    #10
I have the benefit of having a SKOK centre near me. I only need to show my passport and MTCN number whereas I'd have to fill out forms in a busy bank and wait. No taxes my end, only a handling fee borne by my parents.
delphiandomineThreads: 42
Posts: 9,954
Joined: Nov 25, 08 ♂ [Suspended] 		Edited by: delphiandomine  Dec 23, 11, 14:09    #11
bullfrog:
Of course, if the account is in euros..


Wow. I didn't think it was possible for some reason...

I wonder if you can also deposit in Euro? If so...
bullfrogThreads: 4
Posts: 390
Joined: Apr 23, 09 ♂ 		 Dec 23, 11, 14:14    #12
and yes, you can also deposit in euros (and also in USD, GBP etc provided your account is in the same currency..)
WroclawThreads: 77
Posts: 7,404
Joined: Apr 1, 06  Pictures: 3 ♂ [Moderator] 		Edited by: Wroclaw  Dec 23, 11, 14:15    #13
bullfrog:
Of course, if the account is in euros..


the account may be in euro, but it doesn't mean that the bank has euro on the premises. and the hole-in the-wall doesn't dish them out.

doesn't the bank automatically convert to zł ?

edit: i see that you have answered my point.
delphiandomineThreads: 42
Posts: 9,954
Joined: Nov 25, 08 ♂ [Suspended] 		 Dec 23, 11, 14:16    #14
bullfrog:
and yes, you can also deposit in euros (and also in USD, GBP etc provided your account is in the same currency..)


Bah.

I never thought to even ask, and here was me withdrawing cash and converting to PLN when it could just have been taken out in EUR for trips to Germany. Bah indeed.
WroclawThreads: 77
Posts: 7,404
Joined: Apr 1, 06  Pictures: 3 ♂ [Moderator] 		 Dec 23, 11, 14:19    #15
delphiandomine:
Bah indeed.


same thought. i've just had some cash sent. now it's too late. fcuk!
bullfrogThreads: 4
Posts: 390
Joined: Apr 23, 09 ♂ 		 Dec 23, 11, 14:19    #16
Wroclaw:
doesn't the bank automatically convert to zł ?


no
Wroclaw:
the account may be in euro, but it doesn't mean that the bank has euro on the premises. and the hole-in the-wall doesn't dish them out.


Most banks (at least in Warsaw) will have a reasonable sized float in euros (and USD etc) on their premises. Of course, if you intend to draw 50,000€, you should warn them in advance, usually 24h or 48 h is enough..
WroclawThreads: 77
Posts: 7,404
Joined: Apr 1, 06  Pictures: 3 ♂ [Moderator] 		 Dec 23, 11, 14:26    #17
bullfrog,

you've given some very useful info, which to me wasn't so obvious. thanks.
bullfrogThreads: 4
Posts: 390
Joined: Apr 23, 09 ♂ 		 Dec 23, 11, 14:32    #18
Wroclaw:
you've given some very useful info, which to me wasn't so obvious. thanks.


Pleasure!!
delphiandomineThreads: 42
Posts: 9,954
Joined: Nov 25, 08 ♂ [Suspended] 		 Dec 23, 11, 14:32    #19
Wroclaw:
you've given some very useful info, which to me wasn't so obvious. thanks.


Indeed, thank you!
HarryThreads: 62
Posts: 8,508
Joined: May 2, 07 ♂ [Suspended] 		 Dec 23, 11, 14:44    #20
bullfrog:
Most banks (at least in Warsaw) will have a reasonable sized float in euros (and USD etc) on their premises. Of course, if you intend to draw 50,000€, you should warn them in advance, usually 24h or 48 h is enough..

However, if you don't give them notice and what you actually want to do is convert your largish amount of EUR (or whatever) into PLN, you can get an exchange rate which is above the mid-rate!
SeanusThreads: 22
Posts: 30,158
Joined: Dec 25, 07 ♂ 		 Dec 23, 11, 14:47    #21
Seriously, look for a regional centre with the WU sign but I think SKOK is purely a Silesian thing. It's really hassle free and safe. French Connection United Kingdom, Wrocław? ;) ;)

If you find such a thing, OP, you don't need to go with the expected amount. In the bank I went to, I had to write that down as a mandatory field. In SKOK, all they need is your passport no and MTCN. Simple!
eberhartThreads: 10
Posts: 61
Joined: Mar 31, 11 ♂ 		Edited by: eberhart  Dec 24, 11, 08:53    #22
Thanks everyone especially JonnyM.

I know banks often trigger at around 10,000usd and it would be amounts less than this (maybe 6000 or so USD a few times when I can afford it, and not every week for the whole year or something regular. I just didn't want to cause problems for them if the transfers were reported to the tax service and suddenly someone was asking them why they are getting money from abroad. Since you have to show ID I figured they recorded it and reported it to the tax office. We all know how governments like to spend time hassling normal people under the guise of terrorism etc. Just doing my due diligence so a good deed doesn't turn into something that hurts someone.


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