Well, dabbling in international politics is certainly thought-provoking and fun. However, the impact of the signing of the US-Poland missile shield agreement on my business has been minimal. So far, a client and my Mom have called to ask whether this agreement puts me in personal danger. Thanks for caring, but I’m not particularly worried.

In fact to show how blasé I am, I’m daring to talk about something else: the far more mundane, but relevant issue of doing business in Poland.

Starting September 20, 2008, Polish companies will be able to suspend operations. Yes, it may be hard to believe, but all this time Polish companies either were supposed to be industriously doing business (and filing all necessary reports and paying any necessary withholding or other taxes) or be in the process of liquidation.

Under the new change to the Law on Freedom of Economic Activity, a company that does not have any employees may suspend its operations for as little as one month or as much as 2 years. During suspension, a company may not actively conduct business (such as accepting new orders), but take necessary actions to protect its business base. The Law enumerates several of these, including settling up debts, sale of fixed assets, and responding to administrative audits.

The paperwork for suspension is simple. You would need to file with the business register your basic corporate information, the time period of the suspension, and a confirmation that you do not have any employees.

--Judi