The Czech government has officially approved the return of the electronic sales registration (EET) system from the beginning of next year. The reform will affect restaurants, shops, and craftspeople. However, small business owners with an annual turnover of up to one million Czech crowns (under the simplified tax system) will be exempt. For them, only the monthly contribution will increase from 100 to 1500 CZK. The new system promises to be simpler: issuing paper receipts will no longer be required, and the state will provide small companies with free software. The government expects to increase the budget by 14.4 billion CZK, although the opposition calls these figures an illusion and a step backward.
At the same time as revenue control, the cabinet has prepared a social package. Tips for waiters (up to 7% of the establishment's turnover) will be tax-free, which should help staff when applying for a mortgage. Popular benefits are returning to Czech families: a tax discount for students and "školkovné" (deduction for kindergarten fees). Additionally, non-alcoholic drinks in restaurants will become cheaper due to a reduction in VAT from 21% to 12%. Limits on work bonuses will no longer apply to important medical programs for cancer and heart disease prevention.
