Starting July 1, 2025, a new legal requirement will come into effect in Germany: Electronic cash register systems must be reported. The basis for this is Section 146a (4) of the German Fiscal Code (AO) in accordance with the German Cash Register Security Regulation (KassenSichV).
What does this mean for companies?
The aim of the regulation is to prevent manipulation of digital recording systems and to increase transparency in cash register systems. Reports are submitted via the ELSTER portal, either by XML upload or automatically via the ERiC interface.
RetailForce offers an automated solution that helps companies implement these requirements on time and in compliance with the law.
The following data must be reported:
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- Company name and tax number
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- Type and serial number of the cash register system
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- TSE Certification ID
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- Number of systems per operating site
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- Date of acquisition or decommissioning
For existing systems, a transition period applies until July 31, 2025. Companies should therefore prepare in good time to avoid penalties.
The most frequently asked questions about the TSE reporting procedure
The questions are based on our two webinars, in German and English, held on June 24, 2025.
Is turnover-related data transmitted to authorities?
No. No turnover-related data is currently being transmitted to authorities. Only master data such as TSE serial numbers and addresses are involved. Turnover data is only exchanged in the event of an audit, not as part of the TSE report.
When will data transmission begin?
The transfer is not yet active. The corresponding version will be activated on July 6. Data transfer will be possible from this point onwards. However, master data can already be maintained at this time.
Is the notification displayed in the dashboard?
No. You have to click on the respective branch to see if a note (e.g., a yellow info box) appears regarding the report.
Who maintains the data in the Elster portal?
The data is maintained in the RetailForce portal. The retailer is responsible for this. Additional maintenance in the Elster portal is not necessary.
Do additional devices such as printers or scanners need to be recorded?
No. Only the cash register itself needs to be recorded. Other components such as printers or scanners do not need to be recorded separately.
Does transmission depend on the TSE software version?
No. Transmission is independent of the TSE software used. RetailForce supports both the Fiskaly Cloud TSE and the Swissbit hardware TSE.
Does the TSE certification ID have to be entered manually?
No. The certification ID is set automatically. No manual process is necessary.
Is there an import function for multiple branches?
No. The operating sites must be created manually in the RetailForce portal. There are currently no plans to import the structure.
Does a specific client version need to be installed?
No. The client version is not important. What matters is the portal version, which will be active from July 6. However, we recommend always using the latest version.
Is there a limit to the number of client stations on cash registers, e.g., in the event of errors?
No, there is no limit. If errors occur, the respective business location is simply not loaded into the system. There is no limit to the number of attempts.
Where is the email address stored to which the data is sent for verification?
This must be entered in the master data in the RetailForce portal.
Does the retailer give their consent in advance so that RetailForce can transfer the data to the tax office?
Yes. There is a process whereby the end customer is asked for approval. No further web approvals are required. The retailer remains responsible for the accuracy of the data.
Do cash registers that are intended as backups or for later use also have to be reported?
In principle, yes. Once the cash register has been put into operation, a TSE notification must also be submitted.
How are external cash registers reported in a permanent establishment (e.g., other cash register providers)?
Currently, this is not yet possible. However, we are working on a solution to cover these cases as well. An API interface could be used in the future.
Is there a charge for uploading the TSE?
Yes, this is a pay-per-use service. Every data transfer—including changes or hardware replacements in the future—is subject to a fee.
How does reporting work if the customer does not work directly with the portal but via an API connection?
The easiest way would be to invite the customer to the portal. However, we are currently investigating how this can be implemented entirely via the API.
Which devices must be registered with the cash register?
Only the terminal and the TSE must be registered. Additional devices such as printers or scanners are not required.
Which terminal type must be configured in the portal for cloud-based fiscalization?
This depends on the device type (e.g., desktop or Android POS). Each terminal requires a unique ID. A shared terminal ID for multiple devices is not permitted.