Although at the beginning of 2023, 23 percent returned. VAT on fuel, fuel prices at stations did not increase. Experts attribute this to the move used by the stations at the end of last year.
At the end of 2022, the reduction in the VAT rate on fuel ceased to apply. From January 1 of this year, instead of 8 percent, the tax is again 23 percent. This is due to the end of the so-called anti-inflationary shield (which was in effect until the end of last year), which was supposed to mitigate the consequences of record inflation. Reduced VAT on fuel is effective from February 1 last year.
Fuel prices have not risen
The increase in VAT did not lead to an increase in fuel prices. A liter of petrol costs about PLN 6.30-6.40 at the stations. PKN Orlen President Daniel Obaitek will not ensure a sharp increase in prices at gas stations at the end of last year. – The VAT refund should not significantly affect the price of fuel at our filling stations. We will do our best to keep this price stable at our stations - Obaitek said in an interview with RMF FM. – We are a diversified concern, we have income from many other areas of our activity – he added.
Why haven’t fuel prices increased? Experts note that at the end of 2022, the stations realized excess margin, thereby providing a safety buffer.
— The excess margin realized in recent weeks is intended to create a safety buffer, thanks to which there will be no need for a sharp increase in prices after the New Year — said Ursula Cieslak, an analyst at Reflex, in an interview with Business Insider Polska at the end of the year.
The expert emphasized in an interview with the portal that if it were not for this buffer, the price increase from January 1 this year could have amounted to several tens of pennies per liter.
Source: Wprost
