Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to?

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? Theme specials

Fraud at cash registers is to be brought to an end. Strong encryption (TSE) and cash register audits are intended to ensure everything is above board. Mandatory cash register use is also coming soon.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | October 2026

Digital cash registers and digital receipts: What's changing for businesses and customers?

Digital cash registers will become mandatory for most businesses, and digital receipts will become the norm. Businesses and their customers need to adapt to these changes.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | October 2026

Receipt obligation: Bakers disappointed by government plans

Following the cabinet decision on the cash register law, the baking trade criticizes the fact that the obligation to issue receipts is not being abolished, but merely transferred to the digital realm.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | September 2026

The obligation to issue receipts will not be abolished.

The German cabinet has approved the law introducing mandatory cash registers. From 2028, digital receipts will be issued instead of paper receipts. This is a bitter disappointment for the skilled trades sector, as the federal government is once again breaking a promise.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | September 2026

Crafts criticize law on mandatory cash registers and receipts

The Central Association of German Crafts criticizes the new draft law on mandatory cash registers as being too burdensome for craft businesses and demands concrete adjustments.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | August 2026

Bakers criticize planned mandatory receipt requirement

The bakery trade criticizes the draft bill introducing mandatory cash registers. Instead of implementing the promised abolition of the receipt requirement, the paper receipt is to be replaced by a mandatory digital receipt. This, they argue, is not a relief, but rather additional bureaucracy.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | August 2026

Mandatory electronic cash registers are expected to come into effect from 2028.

The end of the open cash register is approaching: The German government plans to introduce mandatory electronic cash registers and the obligation to provide digital receipts from 2028.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | March 2026

Typical cash register errors in the trades – and how to avoid them

In spring, not only are annual financial statements due, but cash register audits are also on the rise. We spoke with Markus Bernhart, CEO of ready2order, about typical cash register errors in the trades – and how to avoid them.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | December 2025

Cash registers: Check the expiry date of the TSE certificates

The German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH) recommends checking the TSE certificates in the cash register system to avoid operational disruptions. The TSE must be replaced after it expires.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | November 2025

Paying tradespeople: Cash or card? Most businesses are flexible.

Customers have a choice: Most craft businesses in Germany accept cash, card payments, and digital payment methods, according to a ZDH survey. However, some insist on cash payments. Here's why.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | October 2025

Cash management: Are the many regulations proportionate?

The cash register law places high demands on retailers and tradespeople: mandatory receipt issuance, cash register registration, TSE (Technical Security Equipment), and so on. In a survey, companies complain about the considerable burden. The business community is making suggestions on how the system could be improved.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | August 2025

Question to the European judges: Is a QR code permitted instead of a paper receipt?

Does the "printed" receipt from a cash register scale necessarily have to be made of paper, or will a QR code suffice? The European Court of Justice must decide.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | July 2025

Register your cash register systems now: Deadline ends in July

Reporting new or deregistered cash register systems must be completed within one month starting immediately (July 1). Businesses and self-employed individuals must report their older cash registers to the tax office by July 31.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | July 2025

Federal government plans to make cash registers mandatory from 2027

Starting in 2027, cash registers will be mandatory for businesses in Germany with annual sales above a certain level. Tax advisors are calling for transitional arrangements and exceptions for market traders and snack bar operators.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | July 2025

Deadline 31 July: Report cash registers to the authorities

Businesses and self-employed individuals must register their cash registers with the tax office by July 31st at the latest. For example, via "Mein Elster" or a Datev tool.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | October 2024

Tightening of receipt requirements: Bakers alarmed by new plans

The bakers' trade believes that the obligation to issue receipts could easily be abolished. Fraud is impossible with modern cash registers anyway. Instead, the annual tax law threatens to tighten the regulations, according to the central association.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | September 2024

Important change: Cash register reporting from 2025

The long-announced reporting requirement for electronic cash register systems will begin on January 1, 2025. A transitional arrangement applies to cash registers already in operation. Reporting is done via "Mein Elster."

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | January 2024

2024: New mandatory information on receipts

New mandatory information on receipts will come into effect in the new year. POS systems should be prepared well in advance of January 1st.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | August 2023

E-receipts not permitted at scale cash registers

Stores with scale-based POS systems are prohibited from offering their customers e-receipts as an alternative to printed receipts ("mandatory receipts"). The Osnabrück Administrative Court ruled this in two recent rulings. A change to the regulation is pending.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | April 2023

Missing TSE: Avoid expensive fines now

Even though all transitional periods expired at the turn of the year, there are still cosmetic salons, cafes, and snack bars that operate cash registers without TSEs as tamper protection. Often out of ignorance. But that doesn't protect them from fines.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | December 2022

Deadline for old cash registers expires in a few days

By January 1, 2023, every cash register system in Germany must be protected against tampering. All transition periods will expire then. However, open-counter cash registers are still permitted.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | October 2022

POS systems: New transition period for TSE from D-Trust

The certification for the TSE from provider D-Trust expires in January 2023. However, the Federal Ministry of Finance grants taxpayers a grace period until July 31, 2023, under certain conditions.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | August 2022

TSE certification for cash register systems expires

POS systems: The certification for the TSE from provider D-Trust expires in a few months. What users of such POS systems need to do now.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | January 2022

No obligation to use electronic cash registers

Cash-intensive businesses are still not required to use electronic cash registers. Open-fronted tills are still permitted. The Federal Fiscal Court has just confirmed this. Whether this makes sense is another matter.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | August 2021

Electronic cash register: No notification required for now

Since January 1, 2020, companies have been required to report new electronic cash registers to the tax office within one month. However, because there is currently no reporting software, the process is not expected to begin until fall 2023.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | June 2021

Excel spreadsheet is not a defect in cash management

Anyone who uses an electronic cash register and records income and expenses in an Excel spreadsheet is not making a cash register error if they file all receipts in an orderly manner. This was ruled by the Münster Finance Court.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | May 2021

No tax office estimate for minor errors in cash management

Minor deficiencies in a company's cash management do not entitle the tax office to add estimated amounts. This was ruled by the Münster Finance Court.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | March 2021

Deadline March 31: Practical help for Cloud-TSE

The deadline for retrofitting cash registers with a TSE ends on March 31, 2021. Not all cloud-based TSEs can be deployed in time. The ZDH offers practical guidance for applying for an extension with the tax office.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | October 2020

Datev offers new cloud platform for cash register systems

Datev eG offers a new cloud platform for electronic cash register systems. "MeinFiskal" meets all legal requirements for electronic cash registers. Cash register data can also be further processed digitally.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | July 2020

TSE retrofitting: These countries want to relieve the burden on companies

Most states want to ease the burden on businesses when upgrading their cash registers with a TSE during the coronavirus crisis. They are granting an extension until March 31, 2021. Read on to find out which states are eligible.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | July 2020

TSE: No extension for cash register upgrades

Cash registers and POS systems must be equipped with TSE software by September 30, 2020, at the latest. The Federal Ministry of Finance rejects a longer grace period for cash register retrofitting.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | June 2020

E-receipt: Tacit consent is sufficient

Receipts are still required for every purchase, no matter how small. However, an electronic receipt can replace paper receipts. The customer's tacit consent to the e-receipt is now sufficient! Stores can display a sign at the checkout.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | May 2020

TSE for cash registers: New grace period?

During the crisis, businesses cannot invest in new cash registers or cash register technology. Crafts and retail are demanding an extension for the TSE retrofit. The bakery trade expects costs in the four-digit range per cash register.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | May 2020

The obligation to issue receipts for bakers remains

It was the controversial issue before the coronavirus pandemic: the mandatory receipt requirement for bakers. And it remains the same: Bakers must issue a receipt even for the smallest purchases. The FDP parliamentary group failed in its attempt to abolish the receipt requirement in the Finance Committee.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | April 2020

TSE: The countdown for the cash register upgrade is on

Electronic cash registers must be equipped with a certified security device (TSE) by September 31, 2020. There are already calls for a further postponement in light of the coronavirus crisis.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | December 2019

Power outage? In hardship cases, there are exceptions to the receipt requirement

Starting January 1, 2020, every business will be required to issue receipts. But what happens if the power goes out or the receipt printer breaks? The FDP parliamentary group in the Bundestag wanted to know.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | December 2019

FDP wants generous exceptions to the obligation to issue receipts

Starting January 1, 2020, Germany will be required to issue receipts. The FDP parliamentary group is advocating for nationwide exemptions. This would be a significant relief, and not just for bakers.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | December 2019

Old cash registers must be removed by December 31st

Do you still have an old cash register in your business? It must be replaced at the end of the year, according to the Federal Ministry of Finance. Affected businesses should contact their tax advisors and cash register manufacturers immediately.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | December 2019

Cash registers: Time pressure remains high

The Cash Register Act places significant demands on shop owners and restaurateurs. Starting in 2020, PC cash registers and cash registers must be equipped with a technical security device (TSE). Despite a transition period, businesses should act now.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | December 2019

Cash register management: Companies with older cash registers are unsettled

Starting in 2020, cash registers must be equipped with a TSE. Tax authorities are granting businesses a grace period until the end of September. But what if the cash register can no longer be upgraded? Do you then have to purchase a new cash register by December 31, 2019? Tips for applying for an exemption with the tax office.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | November 2019

Receipt requirement: Tons of waste from receipts

Starting in January, businesses will be required to print a receipt for every purchase, no matter how small. In the bakery trade alone, this amounts to five billion receipts per year. Environmental protection, associations criticize, looks different.

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Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | November 2019

Sigh of relief: Ministry of Finance extends deadline for cash registers

Tax authorities will not object if electronic cash registers do not have a certified technical security feature by September 30, 2020. Hairdressers, bakers, and restaurateurs can breathe a sigh of relief.

Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | October 2019

Deadline extension for cash registers!

Businesses can breathe a sigh of relief: The requested extension for the cash register conversion in Germany is finally here. Shop owners have six months more time to upgrade their POS systems.

Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | September 2019

Keeping a cash book: Done with just a few clicks

Cash receipts: Craftsmen, retailers, and restaurants will be able to make entries in their cash book with just a few clicks using a new Datev solution.

Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | July 2019

Stealing money is not a trivial offense

Taking €50 out of the cash register for fuel? Or even deleting transactions with the help of software? This will be discovered during the cash register audit, at the very latest. Interview with tax criminal lawyer Alexander Littich.

Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | July 2019

Cash registers: Time to convert is very short!

The next change is coming for two million cash registers in Germany. They are supposed to be equipped with a certified security device (TSE) by 2020. But that doesn't even exist yet.

Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | May 2019

Cash register inspection: What is the tax officer allowed to do?

Tax offices are increasingly using cash register inspections without prior notice. Business owners should prepare themselves and their employees well for these visits.

Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | April 2019

NFC: Pay quickly with card or smartphone

A lot has happened in the area of contactless and cashless payments. While debit cards struggled to gain acceptance, contactless payments are growing rapidly thanks to NFC.

Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | February 2019

Cash registers: New standard for data

Manufacturers of POS systems have agreed on a data standard, making things easier for businesses that use cash, such as tradespeople, restaurateurs, and retailers.

Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | July 2018

New Datev cash register solution for trades

After a successful fiscal year, Datev aims to break the billion-euro sales mark in 2018. New solutions, including the online cash register archive, are intended to help, and are also of interest to the trades.

Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | July 2018

Archive cash register data easily and securely

Cash registers are a hot topic in all cash-intensive industries. The new "Datev Cash Register Archive Online" is aimed primarily at small and medium-sized businesses such as bakers, butchers, and hairdressers.

Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | July 2018

EC card transactions in the cash book

In many stores, customers use the option to pay by card. But how should cashless card transactions be recorded in the cash register? The Federal Ministry of Finance clarifies this.

Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | July 2018

Auditors take action against manipulated cash registers

The fight against tax fraud through manipulated cash registers is being intensified. Businesses must now expect to be audited at any time.

Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | April 2018

Are you prepared for the cash register audit?

Tax inspectors can now visit stores for unannounced cash register inspections. Christian Goede-Diedering from Datev explains how they proceed and what they check.

Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | February 2018

The cash audit is coming

Since January 2018, tax office auditors have been allowed to inspect companies' cash registers without notice and during normal business hours.

Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | January 2017

Cash registers: Shop owners must upgrade

Shop owners must now ensure that their cash registers are ready for 2017. By then, retailers will have to store sales data in an unalterable manner for ten years.

Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | January 2017

Counterfeit-proof cash registers

Tax fraud using tamper-evident cash registers will no longer be possible in the future. However, businesses will have long transition periods to adapt their cash register systems.

Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | July 2016

Law against tax fraud at cash registers

The federal government wants to put an end to tax scams at cash registers. A draft law provides for generous transition periods. There will also be no mandatory cash register requirement.

Cash register management: What do businesses need to pay attention to? - Special topics | April 2015

Cash management: Don’t let the tax office estimate!

In recent years, the tax authorities have been increasingly scrutinizing cash management during audits. If it is incorrect, there is a risk of back taxes and, in the worst case, criminal tax proceedings.

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Digital cash registers and digital receipts: What's changing for businesses and customers?

Receipt obligation: Bakers disappointed by government plans

The obligation to issue receipts will not be abolished.

Crafts criticize law on mandatory cash registers and receipts

Bakers criticize planned mandatory receipt requirement

Mandatory electronic cash registers are expected to come into effect from 2028.

Typical cash register errors in the trades – and how to avoid them

Cash registers: Check the expiry date of the TSE certificates

Paying tradespeople: Cash or card? Most businesses are flexible.

Cash management: Are the many regulations proportionate?

Question to the European judges: Is a QR code permitted instead of a paper receipt?

Register your cash register systems now: Deadline ends in July

Federal government plans to make cash registers mandatory from 2027

Deadline 31 July: Report cash registers to the authorities

Tightening of receipt requirements: Bakers alarmed by new plans

Important change: Cash register reporting from 2025

2024: New mandatory information on receipts

E-receipts not permitted at scale cash registers

Missing TSE: Avoid expensive fines now

Deadline for old cash registers expires in a few days

POS systems: New transition period for TSE from D-Trust

TSE certification for cash register systems expires

No obligation to use electronic cash registers

Electronic cash register: No notification required for now

Excel spreadsheet is not a defect in cash management

No tax office estimate for minor errors in cash management

Deadline March 31: Practical help for Cloud-TSE

Datev offers new cloud platform for cash register systems

TSE retrofitting: These countries want to relieve the burden on companies

TSE: No extension for cash register upgrades

E-receipt: Tacit consent is sufficient

TSE for cash registers: New grace period?

The obligation to issue receipts for bakers remains

TSE: The countdown for the cash register upgrade is on

Power outage? In hardship cases, there are exceptions to the receipt requirement

FDP wants generous exceptions to the obligation to issue receipts

Old cash registers must be removed by December 31st

Cash registers: Time pressure remains high

Cash register management: Companies with older cash registers are unsettled

Receipt requirement: Tons of waste from receipts

Sigh of relief: Ministry of Finance extends deadline for cash registers

Deadline extension for cash registers!

Keeping a cash book: Done with just a few clicks

Stealing money is not a trivial offense

Cash registers: Time to convert is very short!

Cash register inspection: What is the tax officer allowed to do?

NFC: Pay quickly with card or smartphone

Cash registers: New standard for data

New Datev cash register solution for trades

Archive cash register data easily and securely

EC card transactions in the cash book

Auditors take action against manipulated cash registers

Are you prepared for the cash register audit?

The cash audit is coming

Cash registers: Shop owners must upgrade

Counterfeit-proof cash registers

Law against tax fraud at cash registers

Cash management: Don’t let the tax office estimate!