Started a New Job? Financial Checklist to Complete in 30 Days

A job change isn't just new duties and coworkers — it's a series of financial decisions that affect your budget, taxes, and retirement for years. From signing the contract, through PIT-2 and PPK, to negotiating a raise — this checklist walks you through what's worth getting right.

Use it if: you just got a job offer, recently changed employers, are considering a proposal, or moving from B2B to employment (or the other way).

Before signing (offer stage)

Offer analysis

• Calculate take-home pay, not gross (salary calculator)
• Compare employment forms: employment contract, B2B, civil contract — net can differ by 20%
• Estimate real benefit value: private healthcare (1-3k/year), gym card (1k/year), laptop, phone
• Check bonus policy: commission, annual, discretionary — how often paid
• Verify notice period at new and current employer

Negotiation

• Check market ranges (nofluffjobs, bulldogjob, Sedlak & Sedlak)
• Negotiate more than just salary: vacation days, remote work, training budget
• Ask about raises: frequency, typical scale, criteria
• Get everything in writing before resigning at current job

Transition decision

• Check emergency fund (minimum 3 months of expenses)
• Verify unused vacation at current employer (cash equivalent)
• Check annual/loyalty bonus — possibly wait for payout
• Confirm probation terms and renewal option

During (first days at the new job)

• Sign employment/B2B contract — read all attachments
• Submit PIT-2 to employer (tax-free allowance spread monthly, 300 PLN/m)
• Register with ZUS (automatic via employer, but verify)
• Make PPK decision within 2 months (auto-enroll, opt-out available)
• Fill in group insurance data (if offered)
• Provide bank account for salary
• Receive company equipment and sign protocols

After (first months)

• Check first paycheck: matches contract, PIT-2, ZUS contributions
• Verify PPK status (enrollment confirmed if you didn't opt out)
• File PIT for previous year if applicable (employer change during tax year)
• Get PIT-11 from previous employer (deadline: end of February)
• Update household budget to new salary
• Increase savings/investments proportionally to the raise
• Set 12-month financial goals

Estimated amounts 2026 (PLN)

• Minimum wage: 4,666 PLN gross / ~3,510 PLN net (employment contract)
• IT median (mid): 15,000 – 22,000 PLN gross (employment)
• IT B2B (mid): 18,000 – 28,000 PLN net at 12% flat tax
• Full ZUS (B2B): ~1,800 PLN/month (2026)
• Preferred ZUS (first 24 months): ~430 PLN/month
• "Start relief" (6 months): only health contribution
• PIT-2 — tax-reducing amount: 300 PLN/month
• Employee PPK contribution: 2% (min.)
• Employer PPK contribution: 1.5% (min.)

Common mistakes and traps

• Not submitting PIT-2 at new employer — losing 300 PLN/m for months
• Auto-enrolling in PPK without a conscious decision
• Abandoning unused vacation (cash equivalent on employment contract termination)
• Signing B2B without understanding ZUS, health contribution, VAT
• Resigning before signing new contract
• Ignoring non-compete clause (can cost several salaries)
• No negotiation — employers usually have 10-20% buffer

Documents and forms

• Employment/B2B/civil/task contract
• PIT-2 (declaration to employer)
• PIT-11 (from previous employer, by end of February)
• Work certificate (from previous employer)
• ZUS ZUA registration (employer does this automatically)
• PPK declaration (opt-out or enroll)
• NIP-7 / CEIDG-1 (for B2B transition)

Government sites and institutions

• ZUS — PUE — insurance status, filings
• mojePPK.pl — PPK management
• biznes.gov.pl — B2B registration (CEIDG)
• podatki.gov.pl — PIT filings, e-Declarations
• Tax Office (US) — annual PIT, tax form changes

FAQ

Is it worth staying in PPK? In most cases yes — employer contribution (1.5%) + state contribution adds up to ~200% effective return on your contribution. You can opt out anytime.

When to submit PIT-2? Best on the first day of work. You can submit mid-year, but the tax-reducing amount applies only from the next month.

How long do I have to decide on PPK? 2 months (enrollment is automatic). Opt-out is filed with the employer on a dedicated form.

Is B2B always more profitable than employment? No. Employment gives protection (benefits, vacation, notice). B2B wins on net but requires self-managing taxes, ZUS, and lack of benefits.

What about unused vacation when leaving? The employer must pay cash equivalent for unused vacation days (employment contract). Calculated from salary.

Timeline — first 90 days

• Day 1: PIT-2, salary data, ZUS registration, group insurance
• Week 1: contract review, non-compete, notice period
• Month 1: verify first paycheck, PPK decision
• Month 2: PPK opt-out deadline (if declining)
• Month 3: first budget review with new salary
• After probation: negotiate permanent contract

Warning signs in an offer

• "Competitive compensation" without ranges — usually below market
• 100% commission pay without a floor — high risk
• No written contract on day one
• Promised raises "in a year" without written criteria
• Vague job scope (flexibility = everything and nothing)
• Non-compete after termination without compensation (invalid, but a warning)

Raise at current job — alternative to switching

Before changing, try your current company. Hiring cost is often 3-6 months of salary — use that leverage:

• Prepare an accomplishments summary from the last 12 months
• Check market ranges for your role
• Ask for a specific number, not "whatever is possible"
• Be ready for "no" — have a plan B

B2B vs. employment — quick decision matrix

Choose employment contract if:

• You value stability and protection from dismissal
• You need sick leave and paid vacation
• You're planning a mortgage in the next 12 months
• Your salary is below ~12,000 PLN gross

Choose B2B if:

• You want to maximize net pay (12% flat tax in IT)
• You work remotely for multiple clients
• You can self-manage ZUS, VAT, and bookkeeping
• You don't need sick leave and aren't planning parental leave in the next year

Build a runway for this goal in Freenance

A job change means a new income, benefits, and full budget change. In Freenance you can test "new salary" scenarios, see how your Financial Freedom Runway shifts, and set savings goals for the new career chapter.

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