Point-of-sale software: the return of the publisher's certificate
Good news for businesses: since February 2026, you can once again demonstrate the compliance of your point-of-sale software with a simple publisher's certificate, without having to go through a certification body. Here's what you need to know.
- This concerns VAT-registered businesses that collect individuals via point-of-sale software.
- Since the February 21, 2026 : your choice, publisher's certificate or a certificate from an accredited body.
- A document pre-filled by the publisher, supplemented with your identity and purchase date, is enough (paper or electronic).
- In case of inspection: 30 days to produce the supporting document, otherwise €7,500 fine per software program.
What are we talking about?
A VAT-registered company that sells to individuals and records its sales with a point-of-sale software must use secure software and be able to justify its conformity. Companies exempt from VAT or operating under the basic VAT exemption scheme are not affected.
What changes (and returns)
Since the 2025 Finance Act, the publisher's attestation was no longer accepted: a certificate from an accredited body was required (or, as a transitional measure, a commitment from the publisher to bring the software into compliance with a certification body). Finance law for 2026 restored the’self-certification by individual attestation from the publisher. Since February 21, 2026, both methods of proof are therefore optional.
This constitutes a valid certificate
Not enough
A simple mention in the general or specific terms and conditions of sale of the software does not constitute certification.
Enough
A document pre-filled by the publisher, with all the required information, provided upon purchase — provided you add your identity and the date of purchase.
Paper or electronic
The certificate can be issued in either format, at the customer's choice.
In case of inspection
The tax authorities can intervene without warning at your premises to verify that you hold the certificate or attestation. If not, you have 30 days to produce it, before a fine of €7,500 per software program concerned, renewable if compliance is not achieved within 60 days.
The reflex for a jewelry store
If you use point-of-sale software, Request the certificate from its publisher., Fill it in with your identity and purchase date, and keep it readily available in the store. In case of a surprise inspection, you'll be prepared.
Jewely Retail, the management and point-of-sale software for jewelry and watch stores
Jewely Retail centralizes the cash register, stock, after-sales service and sales for jewelers, watchmakers and goldsmiths.
Sources: Article 125 of Law No. 2026-103 of February 19, 2026; BOFiP, news item of March 25, 2026. This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of your accountant. Verify your situation with official sources (impots.gouv.fr) before making any decisions.