How to Open an LLC in the USA – Step-by-Step Guide
Choosing a state, filing the Articles of Organization, obtaining an EIN, setting up a business account – and how much it all costs in 2026.
Guides, how-tos and resources for Poles abroad: documents, work, offices, pensions, healthcare.
Tips, prompts and tutorials about artificial intelligence – ChatGPT and other AI tools.
Open AI GuideChoosing a state, filing the Articles of Organization, obtaining an EIN, setting up a business account – and how much it all costs in 2026.
Working in both PL and the USA provides pension benefits from both countries – the social security agreement from 2009, SSA forms.
Do you need a B1/B2 visa or is ESTA sufficient? Procedure, costs, DS-160 form, and what to do in case of denial.
Real pathways to obtaining permanent residency in the USA in 2026: family, work, DV lottery, and more – costs, timelines, forms.
Processing times for I-765 in 2026: asylum, AOS, OPT, H-4. How to check status, automatic 540-day extension.
A comparison of retirement accounts: employee 401(k), Traditional/Roth IRA, limits for 2026, employer match, and how to choose.
Are you planning a Roth conversion? Learn how it may affect your Medicare premiums and taxes, understand the costs associated with IRMAA, and avoid unpleasant surprises.
Learn how past income affects Medicare premiums; understanding the two-year look-back period can help avoid unpleasant financial surprises.
Planning to use Medicare? Learn how to properly prepare for this step 5-10 years in advance to avoid tax pitfalls and make the most of available options.
Learn what Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) is and how it affects your Medicare premiums and ACA subsidies, as well as the differences between MAGI and AGI and which incomes are added to MAGI.
Learn how IRMAA (Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) can affect your Medicare premiums, with examples of one-time Roth conversions and large capital gains illustrating how you might unknowingly exceed the IRMAA threshold, potentially costing thousands of dollars annually.
Learn how income from two years ago affects higher Medicare premiums and understand the IRMAA mechanism and its implications for higher earners.
Learn when to enroll in Medicare to avoid penalties; this guide covers enrollment periods, exceptions, and potential penalties for late registration.
Understanding the differences between Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D is crucial for effective health management in the USA.
Discover how Medicare works in the USA; our guide for the Polish community explains what each part covers, who can enroll, how the enrollment process works, and what the costs are.
Transferring money between the USA and Poland is LEGAL in both directions but requires reporting for larger amounts, with popular methods including SWIFT, Wise, and various reporting forms for compliance.
Selling Polish real estate from the USA requires three key decisions: (1) in-person vs. through a representative (notarized PoA with apostille from the USA), (2) Polish notary (notarial deed mandatory for sale), (3) PIT-39 taxes if sold within 5 years of purchase (19% on income). Without ownership for 5+ years – taxation applies. Power of attorney typically costs $50-150 notarized in the USA + apostille $5-50 + translation $30-100. Selling through an intermediary incurs a 2-3% commission, while selling directly does not. Money transfers to the USA: SWIFT transfer $20-50 fee + spread. Consulting a Polish tax advisor is crucial (cross-border tax issues USA-PL). The Polish-US tax treaty protects against double taxation. Funds in the USA are subject to US tax reporting (FBAR, Form 8938 if previously on Polish account >$10k).
Purchasing Polish real estate from the USA can be done through a power of attorney (PoA with apostille) or in person, with various financing options and tax implications to consider.
Polish citizens in the USA can vote in Polish elections (Presidential, Parliamentary, Senate, European Parliament, referendums) only IN PERSON at the Polish consulate or embassy; mail-in voting from the USA is NOT available (it was abolished in 2023 for most voters abroad).
A Polish passport can only be renewed in the USA through the consulate – NOT through the embassy in Warsaw or online.
PESEL (Universal Electronic System for Registration of the Population) is an 11-digit number identifying every Polish citizen, required for various official matters, and can be applied for by Polonia born abroad or without a PESEL at the Polish consulate in the USA.
A Trusted Profile (ePUAP) is a digital key to Polish e-government services, required for most online administrative matters, with three main methods to set it up from abroad: (1) through a Polish online bank if you have an account (fastest, 5-10 min), (2) via the mObywatel app with a Polish ID (online, ~15 min), or (3) in person at a Polish consulate in the USA (visit, free).
NYC has one of the largest Polish-speaking Catholic communities in the USA, with Polish masses and parishes concentrated in Polish neighborhoods: Greenpoint (Brooklyn) – historic heart with St. Stanislaus Kostka Church + Sts. Cyril & Methodius, Maspeth/Ridgewood (Queens) – Holy Cross + Transfiguration, Manhattan – St. Stanislaus Kostka (East Village), Long Island – several smaller parishes.
New Jersey has one of the largest Polish populations in the USA (~530,000, ~6% of the state), concentrated in Polish communities: Linden, Garfield, Wallington, Clifton, Bayonne, Newark, Trenton, Sayreville, with restaurants serving traditional dishes such as pierogi, gołąbki, schabowy, bigos, żurek, naleśniki, sernik, makowiec, and Polish beer/vodka.
Polish mechanics in the NYC area are concentrated in Polish neighborhoods: Greenpoint, Maspeth, Ridgewood, Long Island City (Brooklyn/Queens), and suburban NJ (Garfield, Linden, Wallington, Clifton), offering popular services at prices typically 20-40% lower than dealerships.
Chicago is the largest Polish community outside of Poland (250k-1M Polonia in the Chicago metro area).
Connecticut has 280,000-300,000 people of Polish descent (~8% of the state's population, one of the highest concentrations in the USA per capita).
Chicago has one of the largest Polish-speaking medical communities in the USA, concentrated in Polish hubs such as Avondale/Jackowo, Niles, Park Ridge, Norridge, and Schaumburg.
Bankruptcy in the USA is a legal path to eliminate debts – federal law guarantees a 'fresh start', with two main types for individuals: Chapter 7 (liquidation, 3-4 months, discharge in 100-120 days, most unsecured debts erased – credit cards, medical bills, personal loans) and Chapter 13 (reorganization, 3-5 year payment plan, keep assets).
If you owe money to the IRS, you have several legal options for negotiation: Short-Term Payment Plan (up to 180 days, free), Long-Term Installment Agreement (up to 72 months, $31-225 setup fee), Offer in Compromise (settlement for a reduced amount, $205 application fee), Currently Not Collectible status (IRS will suspend collections if hardship), Fresh Start Initiative (expanded since 2012). Do not ignore IRS letters – collections escalate: wage garnishment, bank levy, property liens, passport revocation (for $50k+ debt). Most Polish workers with tax debt may qualify for a Streamlined Installment Agreement (up to $50k debt, 6-year plan, no financial disclosure). OIC can settle for 10-30% of the original debt if you demonstrate inability to pay in full. Statute of limitations: 10 years from assessment – the IRS cannot collect after this (with exceptions).
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