Swedish Tax Authority Export File
When Skatteverket knocks on the door, one click is enough. Vendion keeps a complete fiscal journal in real time, and the export file is generated on demand directly from Analytics.
Where do I generate the file?
Analytics → Finance → the "Swedish Tax Authority Export" section (or via the shortcut Accounting → Skatteverket). Click Generate XML Export, pick a period, and download.
What does the law say?
SKVFS 2021:16 ("Skatteverket's regulations on requirements for cash registers") requires manufacturer-declared POS systems to produce a machine-readable journal with:
- All receipts (both sales and returns) with amount, VAT rate, and timestamp
- Control codes from the control unit (CCA/kontrollbox) that cryptographically ensure nothing has been tampered with
- All Z-reports with sequential numbering
- Register logs (open/close, operator changes, corrections)
- Processing history – all activity in chronological order
Vendion meets this via its immutable journal memory where every fiscal event is logged indelibly.
What the file contains (in detail)
| Section | Content |
|---|---|
| Header | Organization number, restaurant name, register ID, period |
| Receipts | Each receipt with sequence number, date/time, amount incl/excl VAT, control code |
| Returns | Return receipts with reference to original |
| Z-reports | All Z-reports in the period (number, date, totals, VAT breakdown) |
| Control unit | CCA signatures and sequence numbers from the Retail Innovation box |
| Journal log | System events (open register, staff login, corrections) |
The file format is XML per Skatteverket's DTD/XSD. It's machine-readable for their audit tools.
How is it used?
Skatteverket or your accountant typically requests the file in connection with:
- Audit or inspection – Skatteverket asks for a file for a specific period (often quarter or full year)
- Unannounced control visit – inspector on-site requests it directly
- VAT investigation – when a VAT declaration deviates from the expected pattern
- Year-end close – your accountant wants to reconcile against bookkeeping
You email the file, send via My Pages on skatteverket.se, or hand it over on a USB stick during inspection.
Difference from SIE export
It's easy to confuse but they serve different purposes entirely:
| Export | Purpose | Format | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skatteverket XML | Fiscal audit per SKVFS 2021:16 | XML (proprietary) | Swedish Tax Authority |
| SIE file (.se) | Accounting basis for bookkeeper | SIE Type 4 (text) | Accountant/accounting software |
Both build on the same underlying data (receipts, Z-reports), but the XML is much more detailed as it includes control codes and journal logs that don't belong in bookkeeping.
See the separate "SIE Export" article in the Accounting module for the bookkeeping side.
Can the file be manipulated?
No. Three mechanisms prevent it:
- The journal memory is append-only – events can be added but never edited or deleted
- Control codes from the CCA box are cryptographically chained (each code builds on the previous)
- Sequence numbers are continuous – gaps or duplicates are detected immediately by Skatteverket's tools
If someone tries to tamper with the data after the fact, the chain breaks and the file becomes invalid.
Archive period
Swedish law (BFL chapter 7 § 2) requires a 7-year retention period for accounting records. Vendion keeps journal data for at least 10 years to be safe.
FAQ
"Can I generate the file myself to check?" Yes – you can download the file any time without affecting anything. It's a read-only operation and doesn't count as part of a formal audit.
"What if the file is too large?" For long periods the file can become several hundred MB. You can then segment per month instead of full year. Skatteverket accepts multiple files.
"What if the CCA box has been offline for a period?" All receipts during the offline period are marked as "awaiting signing". When the box comes back online they're signed retroactively and included normally in the export. However, the system warns you in the admin overview if offline time exceeds 48 hours.
"What does it cost?" Nothing extra. It's a standard feature in all Vendion plans (Order module as base is required, of course).
"Do I have to notify Skatteverket in advance?" No – you just need to be able to generate the file when they ask. Vendion is pre-registered as an approved cash register with Skatteverket (manufacturer declaration).
During an inspection visit – checklist
- Stay calm – this is normal. Skatteverket visits restaurants regularly.
- Ask the inspector to wait a moment while you generate the file.
- Open Analytics → Finance → Swedish Tax Authority export.
- Select period (the inspector specifies).
- Click Generate XML → download.
- Hand over on USB or send via email.
- Request a case number for your records.
Link to the accounting module
The same underlying journal data is also used to generate SIE files for Fortnox/Visma. The big difference is that SIE focuses on vouchers (debit/credit) while Skatteverket's XML focuses on individual receipts and fiscal integrity. Read more in "Understanding Accounting in Vendion" and "SIE Export".
Related: Z-report, Understanding VAT in Reports, SIE Export (bokforing-sie-export), Understanding Accounting in Vendion.
This feature is part of Vendion Analytics++.
Curious how it looks in practice? Read more about the product or book a short demo.
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