New social security rules for Polish-Americans?

f stop 24 | 2493

26 Jul 2015 / #1

My mom got a letter from ZUS requesting her social security number. She receives about $250 from Poland (from which they take taxes), and a bit more from US Social Security (it's not big enough for filing in the US), and now she's worried that Poland will try and tax her US Social Security check.

The brief explanation she received in the letter refers to some agreement effective January this year. Anyone has some more info?
I found this agreement between Poland and US, link below, not much information for retirees there. Plus, it's much older; the dates don't match.

ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/polish.html

Any help would be appreciated.

Nathans

26 Jul 2015 / #2

Here is information about PIT regarding paying taxes in Poland / USA, but they don't mention anything about law changes in 2015?

pit.pl/rozliczenie-podatku-od-zarobkow-i-dochodow-z-usa-stanach-zjednoczonych-14424/

OP f stop 24 | 2493

26 Jul 2015 / #3

Thanks. Her worry is that since ZUS takes taxes out of her measly $250, once they see her US Social Security amount (which does not get taxed here because is too low for the US, even with the ZUS check) they'll try to tax that as well. She is a Polish citizen, with US green card. She worked in Poland 22 years, in US for 23 years. She is wondering if the taxes Poland will want might be bigger than their $250 check, and if they can dip into the US check for rest of the taxes.

bolbo

27 Jul 2015 / #4

You still have to file taxes in the US even if you earn very little.

trucker

27 Jul 2015 / #5

Not true dude!

Her worry is that since ZUS takes taxes out of her measly $250, once they see her US Social Security amount (which does not get taxed here because is too low for the US, even with the ZUS check) they'll try to tax that as well.

She's US resident so they can't tax her in PL.Simple .

delphiandomine 86 | 17823

27 Jul 2015 / #6

Actually, something is wrong here. ZUS shouldn't be deducting any taxes as she's not tax resident in Poland, but rather the US IRS should be dealing with it accordingly.

I'm not sure what to do from here, but there is something certainly wrong with the idea of ZUS taxing her - they have absolutely no legal basis to be deducting anything.

OP f stop 24 | 2493

27 Jul 2015 / #7

Actually, many retirees on Social Security do not have to file taxes:
turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/Taxes-101/When-Does-a-Senior-Citizen-on-Social-Security-Stop-Filing-Taxes-/INF14328.html

I don't know why there are taxes taken out of her Polish check. I'll look into it. I know she successfully declined the Polish health benefits.

gjene 14 | 202

27 Jul 2015 / #8

Slightly off topic, but on the same theme, my grandfather applied for Veteran allowance in 1964. Since the CAW is unable to find his service records, I am wondering where to enquire about obtaining information about this. He served between July 1919 and August 1922 and then again in Sept. 1939. What information do I need to provide in order to get this information and what kind of information will be provided in regards to military service and civilian employment. His military service was with the Signals regiment/battalion as he put it and both times in Poland.

OP f stop 24 | 2493

28 Jul 2015 / #9

My mom called them and told them she will not supply them with her social security number for security reasons. We'll see what happens next.