Petrol stations to have cash registers for each pump

TIRANA, April 20 – The tax administration has issued a new order obliging owners of petrol stations to install cash registers for each of their fuel pumps. The order came after problems identified during field inspections and is aimed at transmitting data more effectively for tax offices. Petrol station owners have opposed the order, saying that they do not agree with installing one cash register for each pump because of high costs.
However, the Finance Ministry seems determined to implement its order.
“We have started carrying out controls and verifications on the ground. Under the new decision, cash registers will be put to work after certification by the Finance Ministry through a working group,” according to sources from the General Tax Office.
Under the government decision, the cost of re-installing the problematic cash registers will be covered by authorized companies.
Currently, the process of installing cash registers has been temporarily suspended pending the signature of the new order by Finance Minister Ridvan Bode.
Local media reported that the fuel companies have recently sent a letter to Prime Minister Sali Berisha requesting to postpone the deadline for the installation of cash registers and review the amount of fines.
Last weekend, Economy Minister Dritan Prifti admitted the quality of fuel in Albania did not meet European standards.
He said the Central Technical Inspectorate was imposing 200 fines a month on the quality of fuel, documentation and licences.