Compulsory cash registers: bring legislation into line with your needs!

Cash registers: compulsory or not?

Many retailers are affected by the change in legislation on 1 January 2018. In order to combat VAT fraud (estimated by the European Commission at €21 billion a year!), the French government has decided to take measures to limit the loss of revenue.

But while no one is supposed to be ignorant of the law, the legislation surrounding the use of cash registers remains rather vague.

Do retailers have to be equipped with them? Are till receipts compulsory?

To help you understand where you stand in relation to the law, we'll answer all these questions. And we'll go one step further by presenting you with a selection of cash register solutions tailored to your business... in full compliance.

See all software Cash Register

Is a cash register compulsory in a business in 2022?

What the law says

According to Article 105 of the 2018 Finance Act, if you make supplies of goods and services that do not give rise to invoicing (in accordance with Article 289), but record these transactions using cash register software or a system, you must use software or a system that meets conditions :

• it cannot be altered

• security

• conservation,

• archiving of data.

So does this mean that every retailer must have a cash register?

What are the actual obligations for retailers?

In reality, no. You are under no obligation to have a cash register, and you are perfectly free to use an invoice pad or counterfoil book to do your work. This is perfectly feasible if you have a very small customer base.

However, if you have chosen to install cash register software and are subject to VAT, the obligations set out above apply to you.

How do you prove that your cash register software is compliant?

As you will have realised, the 2018 Finance Act affects you as soon as you use cash register software.

But to be fully compliant, you need to be able to prove that the software is NF525 certified. If not, you could be fined €7,500!

What about the mandatory till receipt?

You don't feel concerned and are tempted to do without a cash register?

Even though we're not talking about the same law here, we'd like to shed some light on the legislation surrounding till receipts. According to Article 1 of Order no. 83-50/A of 3 October 1983 :

• you must provide your customer with a receipt when the price is €25 or more (including VAT);

• when the amount is less than €25, a bill is optional. However, it must be given to the customer on request.

But while it is possible, as we have seen, to write notes by hand, it is difficult to do so in outlets with a large number of customers. As a result, very few retailers can do without cash register software.

That's why we strongly recommend that you buy a cash register from an accredited organisation, whether it's compulsory or not.

How do you choose your cash register software?

Choose certified cash register software

As mentioned above, your cash register software must meet the criteria of inalterability, security, data retention and archiving. The aim of this measure is to prevent your cash register from being considered "fraudulent", allowing you to, for example:

• abandon a transaction without entering the payment ;
• modify a till receipt that has already been cashed;
• delete certain accounting lines, etc.

On the other hand, the printing of detailed till receipts and Z-tickets showing VAT is made compulsory if you have a till software.

💡 What is a Z ticket?

A Z ticket, supplied by your till system, is a summary of your working day. It groups together all the receipts including VAT recorded during the day. Issued at the end of the day, when the till is closed, it helps with accounting processing.

To ensure that all these criteria are met, make sure that your cash register software is certified. Certification is obtained :

• either by an accredited body: it will check compliance with NF525 standards and LNE certification;
• or by self-certification by the software publisher, based on the tax authorities' model.

In all cases, you should be able to provide your certification certificate in the event of an audit. This can be in physical or electronic form, and must be individual.

No doubt you're wondering how to obtain this precious sesame. Rest assured: since the new legal standards were introduced on 1 January 2018, most cash register software has obtained the necessary certification. Nevertheless, don't forget to check this point before setting up your cash register solution.

Choose the right cash register software for your needs

Since most cash register software complies with the law, the difference ultimately lies in the additional options it offers, so that you can benefit from the many advantages mentioned above.

To help you make the right choice, we've put together a selection of software to suit all types of needs and businesses.

Our selection of cash register software

Chrono-Caisse: the unlimited option for your shops and e-commerce business

Simple and easy to use, Chrono-Caisse will help you manage and centralise your cash register operations with ease.

Chrono-Caisse in a nutshell:

• A single price of €42 per month, giving access to all functions, with no surprises;
• A price valid for an unlimited number of shops and users;
• The option of using your own equipment or rental equipment;
• Connection of Chrono-Caisse to your Prestashop or WooCommerce site;
• Quick and easy to learn;
• Valuable help for managing your quotes and invoices;
• Automated, intelligent stock management;
• Complete analysis of your data in real time.

Fastmag boutique: manage both your till and your CRM

Fastmag boutique provides you with all the functions you need to manage your till... but that's not all. It goes even further, by integrating CRM functions.

Fastmag boutique in a nutshell:

• Easy management of your points of sale and cash collection;
• An intuitive, user-friendly tool, with a lightweight interface;
• Easy to work with on smartphones, so you can accompany customers throughout their purchase;
• Software that can be adapted to both a single shop and a network of shops;
• Secure data hosted in real time in the cloud;
• The ability to set up customer files, loyalty and data exploitation programmes;
• SMS campaigns;
• Sending till receipts by email.

Genius caisse connectée: the "à la carte" checkout system for your tablet

The Genius connected checkout application from La Poste can be downloaded onto your Android tablet. All you have to do is choose the features that suit you best.

Genius connected cash register in a few words:

• An application developed for tablets, enabling you to collect cash in-store or on the move;
• A modular system that can be adapted to suit all needs (stock management, statistics, etc.)...
• ... and for all budgets! Pay only for what you need;
• The option of subscribing to the Genius Essential pack if you don't have the necessary equipment;
• A solution available with or without a subscription.

Hangers, the cash register application for craftsmen and retailers

Hangers provides local craftsmen and shopkeepers with a complete tool for a 360° view of their sales. Quick and easy to install, Hangers provides a tailor-made solution that adapts to your sector (bakery, dry cleaners, food shops, etc.) so you can concentrate on higher added-value activities.

Hangers in a nutshell:

• An all-in-one application that manages your quotes, your invoices and your business,
• A simplified ticket creation system (just 4 steps to register an order),
• A modular package that adapts to your needs, with automatic synchronisation on your tablet,
• SMS alerts to notify your customers when their order is available,
• Direct payment or payment in instalments, available online or at the counter, and end-of-month billing for B2B customers,
• Support for discounts tailored to your customers,
• Secure data thanks to TLS/SSL-protected servers.

L'Addition: cash register software for restaurateurs

L'Addition, a recognised player in restaurant cash registers, offers a solution compatible with the Apple system.

L'Addition in a nutshell:

• The only restaurant cash register recognised by Apple;
• An effective response to all restaurant owners' needs (table orders, online reservations, happy hours management, etc.)...
• ... and for all types of establishment (bar, restaurant, bakery, food-truck, etc.);
• A tool that's easy, intuitive and quick to learn;
• Easier management of communication and customer relations (e-mail, paperless till receipt, customer account, etc.);
• Off-line operation, to avoid problems in the event of an Internet blackout.

Lightspeed: the all-in-one cash register for your restaurant

Lightspeed Restaurant is a touch-sensitive cash register software specially designed for restaurant owners. Complete and secure, this scalable platform has a host of integrations and features to make your day-to-day tasks easier, as well as keeping track of your business.

Lightspeed in a nutshell:

• Support for various secure payments (credit card, contactless payment, smartphone),
• NF 525 certification, which guarantees that your data is secure in the cloud,
• a history of all your orders,
• synchronisation of your menu and cash register with the main delivery services (Deliveroo, UberEats, Just Eat),
• a mobile application to monitor your business from anywhere.

See all software Cash Register

Get the right cash register software!

In the final analysis, the good old cash register is not compulsory. But in practice, there are very few businesses that can do without a modern, high-performance cash register system, if only to boost team efficiency, improve working conditions and help their business grow.

But if you choose to use a cash register software, you still need to make sure it's certified!

Fortunately, most software publishers provide the necessary certifications. You can then choose the cash register software that best meets your needs, and that will be able to support the growth of your business.

Have you opted for a cash register software? If so, which one?