Will there be changes to 54-FZ in July 2020 and what does this mean for small businesses

So, do you need to prepare for something?

In fact, no surprises: on July 1, 2020, another deferral for the installation of cash registers ends. Most entrepreneurs needed to acquire online cash registers back in 2019, but some were temporarily released from administrative responsibility for working without them.

So, fines for trading without a cash desk that meets the established requirementsFederal Law of 22.05.2003 N 54-FZ "On the use of cash register equipment in the implementation of settlements in the Russian Federation", Art. 4are not being discharged yetFederal Law of 03.07.2019 N 171-FZ "On Amendments to the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses and suspension of certain provisions of article 14.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation ", Art. 2

However, there is a ghostly chance that due to the introduction of high alert and self-isolation regimes, there will be more time to buy a cash register. Bill is under considerationBill No. 939357-7. On Amendments to Article 2 of the Federal Law “On Amendments to the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative offenses and suspension of certain provisions of Article 14.5 of the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative offenses ", which proposes to extend the moratorium on fines for a year. Perhaps, until July 1, 2021, cash registers will not need to be used by drivers and cashiers of public transport and when paying for housing and communal services.

It turns out that you can't sell without a cash register now?

Some businessmen can still. So, the law sets freeFederal Law of 22.05.2003 N 54-FZ "On the use of cash register equipment in the implementation of settlements in the Russian Federation" from the mandatory use of cash registers for entrepreneurs who sell ice cream, newspapers and magazines, caring for children or the elderly, and repairing shoes and making keys.

You can conduct sales without cash registers Federal Law of 06.06.2019 N 129-FZ "On Amendments to the Federal Law" On the Use of Cash Register Equipment in the Implementation of Payments in the Russian Federation ", Art. 1 organizations providing services to the population in the field of education, physical culture and sports, as well as houses of culture and cultural and leisure centers. True, there is a caveat: these recommendations do not apply to payments in cash or using electronic means of payment in the direct interaction of the seller and the buyer. Simply put, when paying by card, a cashier is still needed.

Entrepreneurs who sell tickets to state and municipal theaters from their hands or from a tray can work without ticket offices. This rule does not apply to the sale of tickets and season tickets via the Internet. Finally, until 2021, a deferral for online cash registers was providedFederal Law of 06.06.2019 N 129-FZ "On Amendments to the Federal Law" On the Use of Cash Register Equipment in the Implementation of Payments in the Russian Federation ", Art. 2 individual entrepreneurs who sell goods of their own production, perform work and provide services, but at the same time do not have employees on their staff.

If I hire at least one employee, will I have to start a cash register?

Yes. Let's say you're an individual entrepreneur and make money by creating custom-made websites or selling baked goods that you cook yourself. If you work alone, you do not need an online checkout. If you decide to expand, you still have to start a cash register. Moreover, it is worth choosing it in advance, even before the new employee starts work.

According to the law, for registration of cash register equipment you will haveFederal Law of 06.06.2019 N 129-FZ "On Amendments to the Federal Law" On the Use of Cash Register Equipment in the Implementation of Payments in the Russian Federation ", Art. 2 30 days from the date of the conclusion of the employment contract. It is better not to delay, otherwise the expansion of the state may result not in an increase in profits, but in fines for working without a cash register.

Okay, but what will happen if you continue to work without a cash register?

Nothing good - sooner or later you risk getting a fine. May be finedAdministrative Code of the Russian Federation, Art. 14.5. and for work without a cash register, and for the use of equipment that does not meet the established requirements, and for refusing to issue a check if you still have a cash register.

For example, trading without a cash register will cost officials at least 10 thousand rubles, and a legal entity will have to pay at least 30 thousand rubles for a violation. If there is a cash register, but it does not transmit information about settlements to the fiscal data operator, this is is also considered a reason for a fine: up to 3 thousand rubles for officials and up to 10 thousand rubles for legal persons.

But a new box office is expensive! Can you save some money?

You don't have to buy a cashier, but rent it. This is the best solution if you have a seasonal business: in order not to give money for equipment that will be idle for most of the year, rent a cashier for a month or a quarter. This option is also suitable for novice entrepreneurs: at the start of a business, there are usually few free funds, so you can not spend them on buying equipment, but rent a cash register and invest the remaining money in development affairs.

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