Rules of installing and using of POS-terminals discussed in Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijani Central Bank and the Ministry of Taxes have discussed applying the rules of installing and using POS-terminals in the country with representatives of commercial banks and processing organizations.

These rules were approved by the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers on Oct. 4, 2012, the central bank reported.They have exchanged the views on the software for the electronic registration of POS-terminals and their decommissioning, an acquiring bank's failure procedures to establish POS-terminals.

The sides have also discussed the ways to solve the problems that may arise while applying the new rules and other issues.

According to the rules, the process of installing POS-terminals in Baku, Ganja and Sumgait must be completed in 2012, in Absheron, Mingachevir, Shirvan, Sheki, Lankaran, Yevlakh, Barda, Nakhchivan, Guba, Khachmaz, Masalli, Goychay, Shamakhi, Zagatala, Shemkir, Tovuz, Salyan, Sabirabad regions and cities (with the exception of villages and settlements) - in 2013, in other regional centers (except for villages and settlements) - in 2014.

POS-terminals will be installed by late 2015 in all villages and towns of the country."Regardless of the area, POS-terminals will be installed by late 2013 in all public bodies receiving taxes, state duties and fees," the message said.

The process of installing POS-terminals is mandatory for all entities-VAT taxpayers, VAT taxpayers with an average monthly turnover during the quarter, exceeding 2,000 manat, passenger transportation by cars, belonging to legal entities and individual entrepreneurs, state agencies, receiving payment of taxes, state fees and charges for rendered services (work).

POS-terminals must be also installed in specialized enterprises selling furniture and cars, sports and recreation complexes, health, leisure and entertainment facilities, hotels, wedding houses, filling stations, travel agencies and cash desks selling tickets for air, rail, water and road transport since the moment of registering the entity.

As of August 1, 2012, the number of POS-terminals in the country amounted to 36,523 units, of which 33,340 are Baku, and 3,183 units in other cities and regions. Their number has increased by 25,251 per unit, or 3.24 times since July 2011.

As of January 1, 2010, there were 8,657 POS-terminals, as of January 1, 2009 - 8,124 POS-terminals, as of January 1, 2008 - 5,309 POS-terminals, and as of January 1, 2007 - 2,070 POS-terminals.