E-receipt – what is it, and when can it be issued?

E-receipts are an electronic form of traditional receipts. They are becoming increasingly popular because they are convenient and eliminate the generation of large amounts of waste. Let’s check when they can be issued and whether they are respected by law in the same way as traditional paper variants. We encourage you to read to find out more!

What is an e-receipt?

An e-receipt is an electronic version of a traditional fiscal receipt. It is a document confirming a transaction, just like a classic printed one, but issued and stored in digital form. E-receipts are becoming increasingly popular due to their convenience, eco-friendliness and ease of archiving. Importantly, they are automatically saved in fiscal memory and sent to the Central Repository of Cash Registers of the National Tax Administration.

What are their advantages?

The comprehensive list of advantages of e-receipts makes them more and more popular. The most important benefits are:

• ease of storage – they are easier to store and manage because they do not require physical space and cannot be damaged or lost. Additionally, they do not fade, which is a common problem with paper variants,
• ecology – they are environmentally friendly because they reduce the need to use paper, which – which not everyone knows – may contain bisphenol A, which is harmful to organisms and gives colour as a result of oxidation; fewer prints mean less electricity consumption, limited carbon footprint, saved forests
• integration with company systems – e-receipts can be easily integrated with accounting and CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems, facilitating sales management and data analysis.

So, as you can see, they are convenient for both customers and sellers.

What does an e-receipt look like?

In practice, the e-receipt has the same elements as the paper version. This includes information such as:

• personal data or name of the taxpayer,
• sales or business address,
• NIP number,
• print number,
• date of sale,
• name of the product or service that will allow identification of the transaction,
• price,
• value of discounts,
• gross and tax value,
• currency,
• cash register and cashier number,
• fiscal logo.

However, when it comes to issuing such a receipt to the customer, it can be done in many different ways depending on the customer’s preferences, e.g. via SMS, e-mail, as well as via a dedicated mobile application or through the seller’s loyalty program.

From when can e-receipts be issued?

We already know what e-receipts are and what they look like. Another issue is when they can be used under Polish law.

• Starting March 21, 2020, people who use online cash registers can do so.
• From June 1, 2020, those entrepreneurs who are entitled to use virtual cash registers, i.e. those in the form of software.

However, it would help if you remembered a few rules. One of them is that issuing e-receipts for virtual cash registers is only possible for some entrepreneurs. This applies primarily to those who provide hotel, transport and heating fuel services. The catalogue is, of course, longer, but these are the most critical activities.

As you can see, e-receipts are extremely practical and will become more popular. Today, many customers are more willing to use them, primarily because they are impossible to lose. This is a significant advantage, especially in the context of possible returns and complaints, for which receipts are essential, and the electronic form gives the same rights as a paper receipt.

Are you interested in introducing such a solution to your company? Check what E-PARAGON+ is and how it can make running your business easier