Polish tennis star Maja Chwalińska, who recently reached the Roland Garros final, faces a significant tax burden on her tournament earnings due to international tax regulations. According to tax expert Piotr Juszczyk of inFakt, the athlete must pay taxes in France where the income was generated, with an estimated effective tax rate of approximately 45 percent, totaling between 2.7 and 2.8 million PLN.
How French and Polish Tax Systems Impact Tournament Winnings
The financial outcome for Chwalińska is governed by the agreement between Poland and France on the avoidance of double taxation. As Piotr Juszczyk explains, this treaty mandates that income earned by athletes is taxed in the country where the performance occurs. While tournament organizers initially withhold a 15 percent tax at the source, this is merely an advance payment rather than the final tax liability. Under the French progressive tax scale, which reaches up to 45 percent plus additional surcharges on high earners, the total tax impact is significantly higher than the initial withholding suggests.
Why the “Youth Tax Relief” Does Not Apply
Many fans have questioned whether Chwalińska, who is 24 years old, can utilize Poland’s “PIT-0” tax exemption for young people. According to Piotr Juszczyk, this relief is strictly limited to income derived from employment contracts and mandate contracts. Because professional sports earnings are categorized as a different source of income, the youth tax exemption does not apply to her Roland Garros prize money. Consequently, she remains subject to standard tax obligations.
The Role of Polish Government Intervention
On Monday, June 8, 2026, Polish Minister of Finance Andrzej Domański addressed the situation during an appearance on TVN24. Domański acknowledged the complexity of the tax requirements, noting that while the French tax authorities, like their Polish counterparts, operate under specific rules, he intends to discuss the matter during an upcoming meeting with his French counterpart.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will Maja Chwalińska pay taxes in both Poland and France?
Under the Poland-France tax treaty, the income is taxed in France first. In Poland, the athlete must report the income, but the tax paid in France is deducted from the Polish tax liability. Because the French rate is higher, the Polish PIT is effectively neutralized. - Is the 15 percent withheld at Roland Garros the final tax?
No. According to inFakt, the 15 percent is an advance payment. The final tax is calculated based on French income tax brackets, which can reach 45 percent or higher. - What is the status of Maja Chwalińska’s career?
Chwalińska, a 24-year-old left-handed player from Dąbrowa Górnicza, Poland, has seen a significant rise in her profile following her recent performance at Roland Garros. She has previously been open about her challenges with depression, which impacted her earlier competitive schedule.
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