The Cabinet of Ministers postponed mandatory POS terminals for individual entrepreneurs: what has changed
29 December 23:03
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has postponed the mandatory introduction of payment terminals for individual entrepreneurs of the 1st group. From now on, the smallest individual entrepreneurs may not use POS terminals until the end of martial law and for another three months after its lifting. This was announced by the Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
According to a government decree of July 29, 2022, entrepreneurs of the 1st group had to switch to the mandatory use of payment terminals from January 1, 2026. However, the decision canceled these deadlines.
“The government has postponed the mandatory use of payment terminals for Group 1 sole proprietors until the end of martial law and for another three months after its lifting,” Svyrydenko said.
Thus, starting from January 1, 2026, POS terminals will not become mandatory for Group 1 sole proprietors, as previously planned.
Why the decision was made
According to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet of Ministers took this step in response to an appeal from small businesses. For the smallest entrepreneurs, the maintenance of POS terminals means additional costs and financial pressure.
Among the key arguments:
- war and unstable economic situation;
- power outages;
- logistical difficulties;
- low turnover of Group 1 individual entrepreneurs.
The government emphasizes that the decision will allow entrepreneurs to keep their income and continue working in difficult conditions.
What does this mean for Group 1 sole proprietors in simple terms:
- A POS terminal is not mandatory
- there will be no fines for its absence
- you can work only with cash, as before
- there is time to prepare for the upcoming changes
The new deadlines also give businesses the opportunity to choose a convenient format for cashless payments in the future:
- classic POS-terminals
- mobile applications;
- payment via QR codes.
What’s next: cashless payments and VAT for individual entrepreneurs
Earlier, Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko said that starting from 2027, some individual entrepreneurs on the simplified taxation system may become VAT payers.
According to him, the simplified taxation system in Ukraine is used not only by small businesses but also by large companies to minimize taxes. Therefore, tax reform is inevitable and is being discussed, in particular, with the International Monetary Fund.
At the same time, the government promises:
- a transition period until 2027;
- an explanation of the logic of the changes;
- gradual implementation of the new rules.
