Cash register obligation for AC charging stations in Austria

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Cash register obligation for AC charging stations in Austria

In Austria, many AC charging stations for electric vehicles are subject to the cash register obligation, or RKSV for short. This poses a number of challenges and questions for operators and users. In this blog article, we want to explore the topic in more detail. 

What does the cash register obligation mean? 

The cash register obligation means that all businesses that accept cash payments must record their sales electronically and issue a receipt. This serves to prevent tax evasion and ensures greater transparency in payment transactions. Basically a good thing, but it does mean effort. 

Technical security devices & security sticks

In Germany, cash registers have had to be equipped with a technical security device, or TSE for short, since 2020. This is intended to prevent tampering and protect the records from unauthorized access. A similar regulation has been in place in Austria since 2016: here, a security stick fulfills the same function. Other countries rely on certificates to guarantee the security of the recordings. 

Different payment methods and their consequences
The reason for this is that the Austrian Ministry of Finance distinguishes between different types of payment, each of which entails different regulations regarding the cash register obligation.
 
Cash payments must always be processed via a cash register. This applies if the customer pays with cash or credit card. Any payment that is used instead of cash is also regarded as a cash payment. In this case, this is also an e-commerce payment if it is used directly instead of another payment.
 
Excursus: Uber & cabs: In some places, the requirements seem a little more confusing. A practical example is the difference between traditional cabs and the online passenger transportation service called Uber: while payment for a traditional cab is made at the end of the journey and therefore counts as a cash payment, with Uber payment is made in advance via an app. However, this is not covered by RKSV. In summary, cabs are subject to the RKSV, but it does not apply to Uber.
 
For charge point operators, or CPOs for short, of AC charging stations, this means that if the vehicle charge is billed using an RFID card, the cash register obligation does not apply. However, if cash is paid directly on site – including via the customer’s cell phone – this payment must be recorded via a cash register.
 
Conclusion
The cash register obligation for AC charging stations in Austria brings with it an additional administrative hurdle that needs to be taken into account. CPOs should inform themselves carefully about the regulations and adapt their payment processes accordingly. Compliance with the regulations can not only ensure the smooth operation of the charging stations, but also prevent legal problems.

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Our payment solutions are legally compliant worldwide and take 100% account of national tax laws - including AFIR, of course. Read more about AFIR here Our solutions are already being used successfully for charging parks in various countries. Thanks to our sister company RetailForce, we offer in-house expertise in tax-compliant document creation that has proven itself in practice. Our solution is internationally scalable and enables simple payment with innovative payment methods.

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With more than two decades of experience, we are true payment experts. Our payment solution is already in daily use in many countries. This means that it is not only mature and proven, but also ready to use. During the payment process, your customers can use a QR code to transfer their receipt to their mobile phone.

SIMPLY PROVEN IN PRACTISE

With more than two decades of experience, we are true payment experts. Our payment solution is already in daily use in many countries. This means that it is not only mature and proven, but also ready to use. During the payment process, your customers can use a QR code to transfer their receipt to their mobile phone.