The lower house of the Czech Parliament passed a bill on eletronic cash registers today with a majority of 105 votes. The system would apply to almost all transactions.The government claims that the online sales reporting system will clamp down on tax evasions and reduce grey economy. Read details (in Czech). Tax authorities 

The opposition parties of TOP09 and the Civic Democrats (ODS) argue it will be an additional burden for businesses. Still, the Confederation of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, one of the biggest business associations in the country, supported the bill. Read the press release (in Czech). Statement of the Economic Chamber of the Czech Republic, another big player among business associations, is available here.

The podnikatel.cz server collected statements from six Czech business associations.

"New on-line reporting system is important milestone in our journey towards more transparency in Czech business environment. Costs for implementing it on business side should not be considerably high. The question is, how fast and up to what extend will the state authorities be able to reasonably use these new data," said Martin Brix, Co-chairman of the Business & Finance Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic.   

The Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Crafts of the Czech Republic launched  portal on EET providing information and consultation http://www.eltrzby.cz/. 

Read more about the vote and the bill in an article by the Czech Radio Plus, an article by ihned.cz and an article by pravniprostor.cz. Video and news by the Czech Television. Read also an article by Prague Post Lower house deputy chairman admits rules were broken.