From 30 June the POS becomes truly mandatory, and the obligation to issue an electronic invoice is extended to flat rates

From June 30th in Italy it will be truly effective for retailers the obligation of POS. An obligation that has existed on paper for years but which, since there are no sanctions, is not respected by everyone. In the middle of the year, however, the register changes thanks to the new PNRR2 decree launched by the Council of Ministers, which brings forward the measure by 6 months, which initially should have been triggered only from 1 January 2023.

What changes for merchants?

For those who are already equipped with POS and allow customers to pay by debit or credit card, there will be no differences. Merchants who, on the other hand, until now have proved reluctant to electronic payments, will have to adapt: ​​in fact, if they were to refuse a card payment, they would risk a fine of 30 euros, to which 4% of the denied transaction must be added. To give a practical example, on a 100 euro purchase, the overall fine would be 34 euro.

If the measure is highly appreciated by citizens, who will finally no longer see card transactions rejected, the same cannot be said of many merchants, who really do not like the idea of ​​having POS, and of trade associations. According to Oscar Fusinidirector of Ascom Confcommercio, “the spread of electronic payments must be pursued by putting in place decisive choices to reduce commissions and costs borne by consumers and businesses, starting with the enhancement of the tax credit tool on commissions paid by the merchant and providing for the free of so-called micropayments . Focusing asymmetrically on sanctions does not help the processes of modernization of the payment system, which is already in full development”.

In our opinion, this is an unconvincing criticism, if we consider that today retailers have the possibility to choose between different POS solutions, some of which do not involve any commission.

Electronic invoice: from 1 July this obligation also extends to flat rates

The obligation to issue electronic invoice has been in force for some years but to date some categories were excluded, including those who adhere to the flat rate scheme. However, from 1 July 2022, even the flat rate will have to equip themselves and start issuing electronic invoices. Not all, however, but only for those who invoice amounts exceeding 25,000 euros per year. Those who are below this threshold can still rely on traditional invoices.

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