According to the data provided by ZUS, at the end of last year the number of indebted active payers increased by almost 2% compared to 2023. Experts argue that this change is rather disturbing. And they add that about 28% of the payers stay in debt, which is simply a lot. In turn, the full amount of debt increased by over PLN 1.5 billion, i.e. by over 8%. During this time, the number of applications for the instalment strategy was reduced by 1.4%. On the another hand, a small over 55 1000 agreements of this kind were concluded last year, i.e. only little than 200 more than a year earlier.
The debtors have arrived
As of 31 December 2024, the debt to ZUS had 639.8 1000 active payers. That's 1.9% more than a year ago erstwhile there were 627.9 thousand. This refers to debt cases over PLN 0.01.
– Growth is of course worrying, but without a deeper examination of the structure of the population of debtors, it is hard to have deeper assessments. This is the state, and the net number isn't telling us anything yet. Payers are down and fresh ones are coming. It would be interesting to see any distribution according to the amounts, whether you are dominated by tiny debts, or whether they are average and large amounts in relation to average turnover in companies," stressed Dr. Sławomir Dudek, president and chief economist of the Public Finance Institute, erstwhile manager of the Macroeconomic Policy Department of the Ministry of Finance.
In turn, Dr Sylwia Pieńkowska-Kamieniecka from the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn draws attention to the number of active pension and pension contributions payers. According to ZUS data, in the 3rd 4th of the year it amounted to about 2.3 million. That means about 28% of them are in debt. According to the expert, the scale is so very large. Moreover, expanding corporate debt can negatively affect the labour market, employment, problems with timely regulation of liabilities and yet lead to bankruptcy of companies.
– The number of active payers with debt towards ZUS is of course alarming, which needs to be clearly highlighted. However, looking at this more broadly, for the strategy and the economy itself, this is not a very crucial problem. Actually, tiny amounts. It's different for an entrepreneur. For many – especially micro and tiny companies – contributions are a real pain and drama. It would be worth to thin on this website – Mr.Łukasz Goszczyński from the law firm of the GKPG.
Debt up
According to ZUS, as at 31 December 2024, the full amount of debt in the accounts of active contributors amounted to PLN 21.1 billion. This is 8.1% more than a year earlier, erstwhile it was PLN 19.5 billion. Dr Sylwia Pieńkowska-Kamieńcka emphasises that the full amount of debt to ZUS has thus increased more than the number of entities facing it. It is so possible to talk of an expanding average debt per single debt contributor, which is, of course, a major problem.
– The debt grew by PLN 1.5 billion. This is 0.5% of the income from FUS contributions, or about 4 promiles in relation to GDP. This increase from the position of the full finances or the economy is not significant. This debt is 0.6% of GDP, but it is inactive a tiny number for the economy. If we mention to the yearly FUS contributions, it is already 6.4%, which means a bigger relationship. But she remained at the same level as the year before – commented Dr. Sławomir Dudek.
In turn, Dr Sylwia Pieńkowska-Kamieńcka states that the default of contributions to ZUS affects indirectly all citizens. The subsidy to the FUS from the state budget, whose main origin of income is taxation revenue, amounted to almost PLN 52 billion in 2023 and was 34% higher than 2022. In addition, the expert notes that 2024 was the first year in which the alleged extension fee was in force again for 12 months. It is claimed for the distribution of the debt payment into instalments in exchange for not charging interest on unpaid contributions. Earlier, by mid-2023, due to the declared emergency of the epidemic, her download was suspended.
The full amount of debt increased more than the number of indebted active payers. "This data shows, of course, that the payers are already in debt, i.e. their debt is increasing. It is worth noting that the full amount of debt has increased more than the number of active payers in debt. On this occasion, it should besides be added that the already indebted entity, which is longer in this situation, is further distant from final debt regulation. It would be perfect for specified entrepreneurs at any first phase of the ZUS itself to make a fast and concrete proposal that could repair the situation efficiently. This would benefit both parties," says an expert from GKPG.
Payment in instalments
According to ZUS data, last year the number of applications for the instalment strategy was 93,2 thousand. That's 1.4% little than in 2023, erstwhile there were 94.6 thousand. At the same time, 55.3 1000 installment systems were included in 2024. This in turn is 0.3% more than a year ago, erstwhile specified cases were recorded 55.1 thousand.
– The effectiveness ratio of the arrangements for the distribution of debts into instalments is around 60%. This indicates that the percent of installment arrangements is expanding in relation to the applications submitted. According to ZUS data for 2022, it was somewhat over 40%. This may show greater awareness and better preparation of applicants for applications for the distribution of payment arrears into instalments," says an expert from the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn.
In the opinion of Mr.Łukasz Goszczyński, the above besides shows that entrepreneurs want to fight for their companies. They are determined to keep their businesses running. Many, on the another hand, quit in this fight due to the fact that they are overwhelmed by the amount of work that needs to be done on this issue. The expert adds that these are frequently additional costs, specified as legal aid or another advisory aid. The full origin that the motivation of specified an entrepreneur falls.
– The contributors covered by the instalment arrangement and regulating the repayment of instalments in time shall be treated as those without debt. They can so benefit from, for example, sickness or maternity benefits. Undoubtedly, ZUS is besides curious in making deals. In this way, he recovers billions of PLN in outstanding debts – concluded Dr. Sylwia Pieńkowska-Kamieniecka.
text and photograph source: MondayNews.pl
