Germany
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The fiscalization initiative in Germany was launched in 2016 following the introduction of the first set of specific regulations in this field. Since then, a series of legal acts and obligations have been established as part of the fiscalization mechanism, further clarifying and strengthening its provisions. One of the key requirements of this mechanism is the mandatory use of certified solutions. These solutions are designed to meet the highest standards of security, accuracy, and reliability, ensuring that financial transactions are recorded and reported in a manner that is transparent, fair, and in compliance with the law. The introduction of these requirements has been an important step towards improving the efficiency and integrity of the fiscal system in Germany.
Germany
In order to strengthen the accuracy and reliability of cash register data, the German government introduced the Law on the Protection against Manipulation of Digital Basic Records, also known as the "Kassengesetz," at the end of 2016. This law serves as the foundation for the fiscalization system in Germany. The cornerstone of the fiscalization system in Germany is the use of the Technical Security Element (TSE). All point-of-sale (POS) systems are required to use TSE and must be reported to and registered with the Tax Authority. The TSE is certified by the government and consists of a security module, secured memory, and a digital interface. These components work together to ensure that all transactions are securely recorded and stored, providing a high level of trust in the integrity of the data.
Type of fiscalization: Hardware/Software
Latest news for Germany
See moreIn Germany, there are harsher penalties for failing to issue receipts.
Germany
Author: Stefan Ditrih
The German government plans to strengthen enforcement of the receipt issuance obligation for retailers by amending § 379 of the Fiscal Code to classify failure to issue receipts as an administrative offense. This amendment will allow tax authorities to impose fines ranging from €5,000 to €25,000 to ensure compliance and enhance efforts to combat tax evasion. The move emphasizes using technical sec... Read more
The German government plans to strengthen enforcement of the receipt issuance obligation for retaile... Read more
German Government Clarifies Implementation of B2B e-Invoicing Mandate
Germany
Author: Stefan Ditrih
The German federal government has provided an official update on the progress and requirements for the upcoming B2B e-Invoicing mandate, set to begin on January 1, 2025. The government clarified that while a simple invoice sent by email may suffice for basic compliance, alternative communication methods can also be agreed upon between parties. More details are as follows. Read more
The German federal government has provided an official update on the progress and requirements for t... Read more
Enforcing the Receipt Issuance Obligation in Germany
Germany
Author: Stefan Ditrih
In recent years, the digitalization of financial transactions has driven the need for stricter measures to ensure the accuracy and integrity of recorded sales data. Among these measures is the receipt issuance obligation ("Belegausgabepflicht"), introduced under § 146a Absatz 2 AO as part of Germany's law to prevent the manipulation of digital records. But what measures exactly are we talking about? Let's find out! Read more
In recent years, the digitalization of financial transactions has driven the need for stricter measu... Read more
Reform of External Audits in Germany from 2025
Germany
Author: Stefan Ditrih
Starting January 1st, 2025, Germany will introduce reforms to its external audit procedures under the Fiscal Code, aiming to enhance efficiency and transparency for businesses. Major chages include: Audit orders must be issued by the end of the calendar year following the year in which the tax assessment was first completed. For example, if a sales tax return for 2025 is approved in March 2027,... Read more
Starting January 1st, 2025, Germany will introduce reforms to its external audit procedures under th... Read more
Reporting of cash registers to the Tax Authority in Germany
Germany
Author: Istvan Bozoki
In Germany, there is a mandatory registration and decommissioning of the cash registers to the tax authorities, which has been part of the fiscal law since 2021, but there has been no platform to report this information so far. So, what can you do now and how can you report cash registers? On June 28th, 2024, the German Federal Ministry of Finance issued a new application decree specifying the ca... Read more
In Germany, there is a mandatory registration and decommissioning of the cash registers to the tax a... Read more
Understanding the Business Identification Number (W-IdNr) in Germany
Germany
Author: Stefan Ditrih
The Business Identification Number or Wirtschafts-Identifikationsnummer (W-IdNr) is a new type of identifying number that will be introduced starting in November 2024. The Federal Central Tax Office will begin assigning the W-IdNr automatically to both new and existing businesses from that time, with the process expected to continue until 2026. The Wirtschafts-Identifikationsnummer (W-IdNr) is a u... Read more
The Business Identification Number or Wirtschafts-Identifikationsnummer (W-IdNr) is a new type of id... Read more
Latest document for Germany
See moreELSTER (ERiC) - State tax office system
Germany
Author: Borislav Vukic
This entails reporting the following events: - ERS registration - ERS deregistration - ERS information updates - Address changes for business premises - Alterations in organizational tax identification - Expiry of BSI certificates (FCC updates to a new certificate version) - Potentially, other miscellaneous changes. ELSTER integration on the Fiskal Portal, data integrity, data integrity e... Read more
This entails reporting the following events: - ERS registration - ERS deregistration - ERS info... Read more
Registration process in Germany
Germany
Author: Kristina Dosen
The registration obligation in Germany is called „The notification obligation“, and it has been established under § 146a Absatz 4 of the German Fiscal Code (Abgabenordnung - AO). It mandates businesses using electronic recording systems (POS) to notify tax authorities about using and decommissioning such systems. In this document, you’ll learn more about when was this obligation introduced. What data are needed for notification obligation and much more. Read more
The registration obligation in Germany is called „The notification obligation“, and it has been esta... Read more
S4F backoffice patch
S4F backoffice patch is intended for users who have already installed S4F backoffice and are intended to update existing installations to latest version. To do so apply only patches that are marked with version number that is newer than your currently installed instance of backoffice. Please make sure to install all available patches sequentially (without skipping). For each patch it is specified for which countries it is released for and with this information and with information from release notes user should prioritize the installation of the patch if S4F Backoffice is used in specified countries. Even though the patch may be prioritized for specified countries please make sure to install all patches sequentially, including the previous ones (if any) even if they are not related to used countries. This package contains instruction, release notes, changelog and software packages required for deployment of this software component. Please note that this patch contains changes for following country: France Read more
S4F backoffice patch is intended for users who have already installed S4F backoffice and are intende... Read more
S4F backoffice patch
S4F backoffice patch is intended for users who have already installed S4F backoffice and are intended to update existing installations to latest version. To do so apply only patches that are marked with version number that is newer than your currently installed instance of backoffice. Please make sure to install all available patches sequentially (without skipping). For each patch it is specified for which countries it is released for and with this information and with information from release notes user should prioritize the installation of the patch if S4F Backoffice is used in specified countries. Even though the patch may be prioritized for specified countries please make sure to install all patches sequentially, including the previous ones (if any) even if they are not related to used countries. This package contains instruction, release notes, changelog and software packages required for deployment of this software component. Read more
S4F backoffice patch is intended for users who have already installed S4F backoffice and are intende... Read more
Draft Guide e-Invoicing Letter
Germany
Author: Kristina Dosen
This document interprets the regulation about mandatory electronic invoicing and describes the implementation of the e-invoice system in Germany. Read more
This document interprets the regulation about mandatory electronic invoicing and describes the imple... Read more
S4F backoffice patch
S4F backoffice patch is intended for users who have already installed S4F backoffice and are intended to update existing installations to latest version. To do so apply only patches that are marked with version number that is newer than your currently installed instance of backoffice. Please make sure to install all available patches sequentially (without skipping). For each patch it is specified for which countries it is released for and with this information and with information from release notes user should prioritize the installation of the patch if S4F Backoffice is used in specified countries. Even though the patch may be prioritized for specified countries please make sure to install all patches sequentially, including the previous ones (if any) even if they are not related to used countries. This package contains instruction, release notes, changelog and software packages required for deployment of this software component. Please note that this patch contains changes for following country: Serbia Read more
S4F backoffice patch is intended for users who have already installed S4F backoffice and are intende... Read more