The figure, reported Friday by Gazeta Wyborcza, represents an increase of nearly PLN 379 million (EUR 90 million) compared with the prior year, when 14.8 million taxpayers took part in the mechanism, which allows Poles to direct a portion of their income tax to a charity of their choice.
The average individual contribution stood at PLN 140 (EUR 33).
The biggest beneficiary was the Fundacja Dzieciom "Zdążyć z Pomocą" children's foundation, which received PLN 375.1 million (EUR 89 million), followed by Fundacja Siepomaga with PLN 199.3 million (EUR 47 million) and Fundacja Avalon with PLN 108.2 million (EUR 26 million).
Gazeta Wyborcza noted that the process is straightforward through the government's Twój e-PIT online filing service, where tax returns come pre-filled by officials.
"If in the previous year we did not indicate any public benefit organization in our tax return, the organization field will be blank. If, however, we allocated the 1.5%, the same organization as in the previous year will be entered", the newspaper reminded readers, adding that taxpayers wishing to switch charities can search for a new one by its court registration number.
(jh)
Source: PAP