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Guide · Cash register security regulation

Fiscal taximeter & TSE obligation: what applies to taxis and private hire vehicles since 2026.

Since 2026, EU taximeters and odometer-based fare meters are only legally compliant if a certified TSE secures the data — including archiving, DSFinV-TW export and ELSTER notification. Here is a compact overview of what you need to know and how to meet the obligation in one step.

  • § 146a AOlegal basis
  • since 01/01/2024TSE obligation, without exception since 2026
  • 2,000+ businessesarchive with starksoft

The legal position in three sentences

EU taximeters and odometer-based fare meters must be equipped with a certified technical security system (TSE) — this has been required by § 146a of the German Fiscal Code (AO) and the Cash Register Security Regulation (KassenSichV) since 1 January 2024.

The transitional arrangement of the Federal Ministry of Finance, which temporarily tolerated retrofits, expired on 31 December 2025. Since 2026 the obligation therefore applies without exception — to every taxi and every private hire vehicle with an EU taximeter or odometer-based fare meter, nationwide and uniformly, including in Bavaria.

The TSE alone is not enough, though: the signed data must be stored audit-proof, exported in DSFinV-TW format in the event of an audit, and the devices must be registered via the ELSTER notification procedure.

What specifically needs to be done

ObligationWhat it involves
TSE on the taximeterYour EU taximeter or odometer-based fare meter needs a certified TSE — the equipment is supplied through your taximeter manufacturer or installation partner (e.g. Hale, Semitron and others).
Audit-proof archivingThe TSE data of every journey must be stored unalterably for the statutory retention period. This is exactly what the starksoft TSE data centre does — automatically, per vehicle, without any action by the driver.
DSFinV-TW exportIn a tax audit or cash register audit, the tax office requires the data in DSFinV-TW format. starksoft creates the export at the push of a button — ready for inspection. For a cash register audit at the vehicle, no office is needed: the auditor scans the QR sticker, sees master data and procedural documentation, requests the export for a period, and the driver releases it in the app. Every access is logged.
ELSTER notificationSince 1 January 2026, EU taximeters and odometer-based fare meters with TSE must also be reported to the tax office via the ELSTER procedure (§ 146a para. 4 AO). With starksoft, this notification is sent directly from starkcenter — the ELSTER interface ERiC is fully integrated. starkcenter also automatically detects changes subject to notification (new vehicle, decommissioning, TSE replacement) and notifies you before a deadline passes.
Receipt issuingPassengers are entitled to a receipt with TSE details — printed or digital. With the starksoft driver app, the digital receipt is created directly from the journey.

What does the TSE obligation cost?

Expect two cost blocks:

  • One-off: TSE equipment or retrofitting of the taximeter — the amount depends on the device and installation partner.
  • Ongoing: the audit-proof archiving of the TSE data per vehicle. starksoft offers tiered data plans for this — from the Basis plan for pure compliance to the Premium plan with telematics and analyses.

Important for your calculation: archiving is not optional but part of the obligation — a TSE whose data is not retained offers no protection in an audit.

How easy it is with starksoft

starksoft operates the TSE data centre for the taxi and private hire trade — more than 2,000 businesses with over 5,000 vehicles archive their taximeter data with us.

  • Automatic, audit-proof archiving of all TSE data per vehicle
  • DSFinV-TW export at the push of a button — ready for the tax office and your tax adviser
  • Digital receipt issuing, working time recording and telematics in the same cloud
  • Online registration in a few minutes, German-speaking support from Berlin

Frequently asked questions about the TSE obligation

Is the fiscal taximeter mandatory?
Yes. EU taximeters and odometer-based fare meters must be equipped with a certified TSE (§ 146a AO in conjunction with KassenSichV). The transitional arrangement expired on 31/12/2025 — since 2026 the obligation applies without exception.
Does the TSE obligation also apply to private hire vehicles?
Yes — the obligation also covers odometer-based fare meters. Private hire companies are therefore affected just as much as taxi businesses.
Does the fiscal taximeter obligation also apply in Bavaria?
Yes. § 146a AO and the KassenSichV are federal law — they apply uniformly nationwide, in Bavaria as everywhere else.
What does the TSE cost for a taxi?
A one-off charge for the TSE equipment of the taximeter (via manufacturer/installation partner) plus the ongoing archiving. The starksoft data plans per vehicle can be found under Plans.
What is the DSFinV-TW?
The digital interface of the German tax administration for taximeters and odometer-based fare meters — the mandatory format for data exports during audits. starksoft creates the export directly from the archived data.
Do taximeters with TSE have to be reported to the tax office?
Yes, since 1/1/2026 via the ELSTER notification procedure (§ 146a para. 4 AO). With starksoft, this notification is sent directly from starkcenter — via the fully integrated ELSTER interface ERiC. starkcenter also monitors changes subject to notification (new vehicle, decommissioning, TSE replacement) and notifies you in good time, so that no notification deadline passes.
What happens in a tax audit without a TSE?
You risk rejection of the books, estimated assessments and fines. With archived TSE data and DSFinV-TW export you are ready for an audit at any time.
How does a cash register audit at the vehicle work if the operator is not there?
The auditor scans the starksoft QR sticker on the vehicle. They see the business's master data and the procedural documentation, no driver data, and request the DSFinV-TW export with their official ID and a period. The driver receives a push notification and releases the export in the app. The download is time-limited, and every access is logged.

Meet the TSE obligation in a few minutes.

Register online, add your vehicles, done — archiving runs automatically, the DSFinV-TW export is ready at the push of a button. If you have questions, our team is happy to help on 030 577 000 991.

Register nowView plans

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starksoft Deutschland GmbH · Lützowplatz 4, 10785 Berlin · As of: August 2026, all information without guarantee