The Schlussbeleg is the last signed Nullbeleg of a cash register and is used for the final decommissioning with FinanzOnline. This guide explains step by step how to proceed.
Important note
Decommissioning the cash register with FinanzOnline cannot be reversed. After decommissioning, this Sales Point can no longer be used.
Renewed use requires a complete new fiscalisation with a new Startbeleg.
When Must a Schlussbeleg Be Created?
A Schlussbeleg is required only for permanent decommissioning of the cash register:
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Business closure or shutdown
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Switch of cash-register system (e.g. moving to another provider)
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Branch closure in the case of multiple locations
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Sale or transfer of a used cash register
Note for seasonal businesses and rental systems
For company holidays, seasonal closures or temporary non-use, no decommissioning is required.
If you intend to reuse the Sales Point in the next season or year, simply leave it registered. Under the RKSV, a temporary shutdown does not constitute an outage or decommissioning.
Examples where decommissioning is NOT required:
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Winter break of a swimming pool or ice-cream parlour
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Company holidays
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Rental devices that are temporarily not in use
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End of season for hospitality businesses
Prerequisites Before Creating the Schlussbeleg
Before you create the Schlussbeleg, make sure the following has been completed:
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Close all open receipts Make sure that no open invoices or orders remain
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Carry out a sales point closing Perform a final Sales Point Closing in bessa POS
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Bring the cash drawer to zero If desired: carry out a cash withdrawal so that the cash balance is €0.00
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Export and save the Datenerfassungsprotokoll (DEP) Export the DEP from bessa POS, save it on an external medium (USB stick, external hard drive, cloud). Retention obligation: 7 years in accordance with § 132 BAO
Step-by-Step
Step 1: Create the Schlussbeleg in bessa POS
The Schlussbeleg is automatically created during the last sales point closing as a signed Nullbeleg.
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Open bessa POS
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Carry out the last Sales Point Closing
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The Schlussbeleg is automatically created as a signed Nullbeleg
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Print or save the Schlussbeleg (PDF)
Tip: You can verify the validity of the Schlussbeleg with the BMF Belegcheck app. The app is free in the App Store and Google Play Store.
Schlussbeleg after the contract has ended
When the contract ends, the Sales Point is deactivated and can no longer sign in – this mainly affects short contracts such as events. A new sales point closing is then no longer possible, and it is not needed either: the last sales point closing before the contract ended is the Schlussbeleg.
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In bessa Manager, open Reports → Sales Point Closings – a deactivated account still shows them read-only
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Select the period that contains the last sales point closing
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Print the Sales Point's last closing via the printer icon or save it as a PDF
Step 2: Archive the Schlussbeleg and DEP
After creating the Schlussbeleg:
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Save the Schlussbeleg – as a printout or PDF
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Export the Datenerfassungsprotokoll (DEP) and save it
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Both documents must be retained for 7 years
Step 3: Decommission via FinanzOnline
Caution
Decommissioning with FinanzOnline does not happen automatically through bessa POS. You must decommission the cash register manually yourself, or instruct your tax advisor to do so.
Decommissioning must be reported without undue delay after going out of operation (§ 17 RKSV), in practice within one week. Enter the date of the Schlussbeleg as the start of decommissioning. A report filed later is still a planned decommissioning.
Option A: Self-decommissioning via FinanzOnline
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Log in to FinanzOnline
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Navigate to: Eingaben → Registrierkassen
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First decommission the cash register: Click "Ausfall und Außerbetriebnahme" → "einer Registrierkasse", select the relevant cash-register identification number, type of report: "Außerbetriebnahme", reason: "Planmäßige Außerbetriebnahme", enter date and time of decommissioning, click "Absenden"
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Then decommission the signature creation unit (if no longer needed): Click "Ausfall und Außerbetriebnahme" → "einer Signatur- bzw. Siegelerstellungseinheit", select the relevant serial number, follow the same procedure as for the cash register
Option B: Decommissioning by your tax advisor
If you do not want to decommission the device yourself:
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Send your tax advisor the Schlussbeleg (with QR code)
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Provide the cash-register identification number
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Your tax advisor can carry out the decommissioning as your authorised representative via FinanzOnline
Decommissioning Checklist
|
Step |
Done |
|---|---|
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All open receipts closed |
☐ |
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Sales point closing carried out |
☐ |
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Schlussbeleg created and saved |
☐ |
|
DEP exported and archived |
☐ |
|
Cash register decommissioned in FinanzOnline |
☐ |
|
Signature creation unit decommissioned (if necessary) |
☐ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I continue to use the signature creation unit?
Yes – within the same company (same UID number), the signature creation unit can be reused for a new cash register. If the company changes, a new certificate is required.
What happens if the cash register fails before the Schlussbeleg can be created?
If the cash register has failed and a Schlussbeleg can no longer be created, the cash register must still be decommissioned via FinanzOnline – but without a prior Schlussbeleg.
My contract has ended and the Sales Point can no longer sign in – how do I get the Schlussbeleg?
The last sales point closing before the contract ended is the Schlussbeleg. Print it in bessa Manager under Reports → Sales Point Closings via the printer icon – see Schlussbeleg after the contract has ended.
How long must I retain the Schlussbeleg?
The Schlussbeleg and the Datenerfassungsprotokoll (DEP) must be retained for at least 7 years in accordance with § 132 BAO.
I have a seasonal business – do I have to decommission at the end of the season?
No. No decommissioning is required for seasonal breaks. Simply leave the cash register registered and continue to use it in the next season.