Small businesses have two months to prepare cash registers for data transmission to the State Tax Inspectorate (VMI)

March 2025 • 2 min

Small businesses are now facing the final two months with cash registers that don't yet transmit data to the State Tax Inspectorate (VMI). Starting 1 May, a new regulation will require businesses to use cash register systems that regularly send data to the VMI. As this deadline draws closer, the financial technology company Paysera is addressing five common myths surrounding the upcoming change.

"With major transitions like the introduction of the euro or the synchronisation of electricity grids with Europe, anxiety is inevitable. It’s natural to fear the unknown and make assumptions that don’t always reflect reality," says Mantas Chodosevičius, Product Manager of Paysera POS.

According to the VMI, these changes will impact around 25,000 business representatives, and M. Chodosevičius notes that misconceptions about the new requirements still persist in public discussions.

Myth #1: Expensive maintenance. There’s a common belief that switching to the i.EKA system requires hefty investments and ongoing, expensive maintenance. While there will be some additional costs, they’re not nearly as high as many skeptics claim. In fact, the government has legalised virtual cash registers accessible via browsers or mobile apps. This means that if you already have a tablet or computer, the transition to i.EKA could involve just a modest monthly fee – often less than what you’re already paying for internet or TV services. When selecting a cash register solution, be sure to compare offers from different providers and assess what best fits your business needs.

Myth #2: The technology is too complicated for seniors. Virtual cash registers are often seen as too complex, particularly because cashiers are accustomed to traditional button-operated registers rather than touchscreen devices. "In reality, using these registers is much like ordering food through the Wolt or Bolt apps. From our experience, once a cashier is trained, they can handle transactions on their own and quickly train others," explains M. Chodosevičius.

Myth #3: There’s not enough time to prepare. Back in 2020, the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania introduced a gradual transition to i.EKA cash registers, beginning with the largest businesses, whose cash register solutions already transmit data to the VMI. This year, it’s the small businesses' turn.

Myth #4: Those who didn’t print receipts before won’t print them now. Initially, this may have been the case. However, once the VMI starts receiving data, statistical discrepancies and anomalies will become easily detectable, particularly with the aid of artificial intelligence. "For example, if a 30-seat café in the city centre prints 500 receipts on Fridays, while a statistically similar café prints only 50, it will certainly raise suspicions," says Mantas Chodosevičius.

Myth #5: There’s no point. For years, merchants have relied on paper reports, but new technologies are streamlining processes and reducing the need for manual labour. With the transition to i.EKA cash registers, the need for a paper-based transaction log becomes obsolete.

Additionally, to enhance transparency, the VMI is assisted by the consumers themselves, who can now easily verify whether the receipt they received has been accurately recorded and if the data has reached the VMI’s i.EKA subsystem.

"When taxes are collected transparently, and everyone contributes fairly and collectively, the state grows stronger, and society as a whole benefits. From now on, the public has the means to verify whether the receipt they received is legitimate," says Mantas Chodosevičius.