MEV-WEB — also called SEV, for “système d’enregistrement des ventes” (sales recording system) — is a Revenu Québec obligation to record every sale and transmit receipts to Revenu Québec. Over the past few years it has been progressively extended to more sectors beyond restaurants. The exact rules and timeline are set by Revenu Québec — see revenuquebec.ca. Here’s what it is, who may be concerned, and how InnoBooks helps you comply.
What you’ll need
- To know whether your activity is concerned — confirm with Revenu Québec (revenuquebec.ca) or your accountant.
- Your tax numbers: GST/TPS, QST/TVQ, NEQ and your billing file number.
- The InnoBooks POS add-on enabled (the MEV-WEB module depends on it).
- A mobile device (phone or tablet) for the MEV-WEB compliant POS app.
- A digital certificate requested from Revenu Québec — the request is made from within InnoBooks.
Getting compliant with InnoBooks, step by step
- Check whether you’re concerned
The MEV-WEB / SEV obligation applies to sectors defined by Revenu Québec, and that list evolves. Don’t assume: confirm your situation with Revenu Québec (revenuquebec.ca) or your accountant, including the date the obligation applies to you. InnoBooks does not replace that official guidance.
- Enable the MEV-WEB compliant POS add-on
The InnoBooks MEV-WEB module is tied to the POS add-on. Once the add-on is active, your sales run through the MEV-WEB compliant mobile POS app, which produces compliant receipts and transmits them to Revenu Québec.
- Gather your tax identifiers
Have your GST/TPS number, QST/TVQ number, NEQ and billing file number ready. These identify your business to MEV-WEB and are used to request your certificate.
- Configure MEV-WEB and enroll your certificate
In the
MEV-WEB (Revenu Québec)settings, fill in yourSEV IdentifierandAuthentication Key, then request yourDigital Certificatefrom Revenu Québec. The detailed walkthrough is in “How to set up MEV-WEB in InnoBooks”. - Move your sales to the MEV-WEB compliant POS app
For a MEV-WEB company, the InnoBooks web register is disabled:
Sales must be rung up on the MEV-WEB compliant POS app. This web register is disabled for MEV-WEB (Revenu Québec) companies.All sales therefore happen in the mobile POS app, which records and transmits every receipt. - Check transmissions and keep your journal
Watch the
Transmission Dashboard(Confirmed,Pending,Failedcounters) and keep theSEV Journalhandy — it records compliance events. You can also export your transaction data as CSV or JSON.
Tips & edge cases
- Training mode: to train staff without sending real transactions, enable
Training Mode. Receipts then show the TRAINING notice and must not be given to the customer. - Communication problem: if Revenu Québec can’t be reached, the POS app switches to offline mode, queues receipts and transmits them once back online. The sale is never blocked.
- Duplicate and cancellation: a reprint or a cancellation must be done in a compliant way, from the compliant app, so the event is recorded and transmitted correctly.
- Certificate renewal: the digital certificate has a limited lifetime. InnoBooks warns you as expiry approaches so you can replace it in time.
- Compliance isn’t only software: handing a receipt to the customer and keeping your records remain your responsibility — refer to Revenu Québec’s guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Is my business concerned by MEV-WEB / SEV?
It depends on your sector and the period, both defined and updated by Revenu Québec. InnoBooks can’t decide this for you: check your situation at revenuquebec.ca or with your accountant. This article is informational and is not legal or tax advice.
Can I keep selling on the InnoBooks web register?
No. For a MEV-WEB company the web register is disabled, and sales must be rung up in the MEV-WEB compliant mobile POS app, which records and transmits every receipt to Revenu Québec.
What happens if I lose Internet access?
The POS app keeps producing receipts and queues them. When you go back online, pending receipts are transmitted automatically, or you can transmit the batch manually. Offline mode also turns on by itself if Revenu Québec can’t be reached.