In Baku, some retail outlets, especially kiosks, require a minimum purchase amount for card payments. A customer wishing to purchase a product priced at 50 or 80 qepik with a card is told that the total amount of the purchase must be at least 1 manat. Sometimes, the buyer is asked to purchase two units of the same product or an additional item. If the buyer does not agree to this condition, only cash payment is offered.
In response to an inquiry from elchi, the State Tax Service stated that the Tax Code does not provide for the determination of a minimum purchase amount for card payments.
“The requirement by a retail outlet that accepts payments via POS terminal to set a minimum purchase amount for card payments, depending on the price of the product, or to demand that the buyer purchase two units of the same product or an additional product is not provided for in the Tax Code. The taxpayer must install a POS terminal in cases provided for by law and create an opportunity for consumers to make electronic payments during purchases,” the response stated.
The Service emphasized that refusal to accept cashless payments is a violation of consumer rights.
Financial sanctions are applied for the non-installation of a terminal or refusal to accept cashless payments in outlets where POS terminal installation is mandatory. If such cases occur for the first time within a calendar year, a financial sanction of 1000 manat is foreseen, for the second time 3000 manat, and for three or more times, 6000 manat.
The State Tax Service called on entrepreneurs to accept cashless payments in accordance with the requirements of the legislation. The institution stated that regular awareness-raising work is being carried out in this direction, and a video tutorial is also available. (modern.az)