Poland Proposes Free E-Receipt App to Replace Traditional Cash Registers

Summary

The Polish government has announced a major deregulation initiative aimed at modernising retail tax compliance by introducing a free mobile application that would allow businesses to issue fiscal receipts without purchasing a traditional cash register. Under the proposal, entrepreneurs would be able to generate e-receipts directly from a smartphone or tablet, significantly reducing compliance costs associated with purchasing, maintaining, and servicing fiscal devices. Traditional online and virtual cash registers would remain available, meaning the new application would provide an additional compliance option rather than replacing existing solutions immediately. The initiative forms part of the broader “Deregulation 2.0” package designed to simplify tax administration and accelerate the digitalisation of business reporting.
A key objective of the reform is to enable greater automation of VAT compliance. By digitising receipt data from the moment of sale, the Ministry of Finance intends to create the foundation for pre-completed VAT returns, similar to the existing pre-filled personal income tax system. The government expects the initiative to benefit approximately two million VAT taxpayers, reducing administrative burdens while improving the quality and availability of transaction data for the tax authorities. Consumers would also benefit from receiving electronic receipts or QR-code receipts, making proof of purchase easier to store and use for returns or warranty claims.
Although the proposal has not yet been enacted, it signals Poland’s continued commitment to digital tax administration following the introduction of KSeF and other e-reporting initiatives. Businesses should monitor the legislative process closely, as the reforms may require changes to point-of-sale systems, internal procedures, and VAT reporting processes. If implemented, the initiative would represent another significant step towards a fully digital VAT ecosystem in Poland, combining electronic invoicing, electronic receipts, and greater automation of tax compliance.

Article

As part of its “Deregulation 2.0” programme, the Polish government has proposed introducing a free mobile application enabling businesses to issue fiscal receipts electronically without the need for a physical cash register. The initiative aims to lower compliance costs, expand the use of e-receipts, and provide the tax administration with transaction data that could support automatically prepared VAT returns. While traditional fiscal devices would remain available, the proposal marks another important milestone in Poland’s ongoing digital transformation of VAT administration and retail reporting.