WEB-SRM: Quick Guide for Restaurants and Bars in Quebec

In a nutshell:

• Check that the Sales Recording System you’re using is certified on Revenu Québec’s website.
• If it isn’t, switch to a certified SRS by the applicable deadline.

Introducing WEB-SRM

The right technology can save business owners considerable time and energy. 

In the 2022-2023 budget, the government of Quebec announced a shift in the way restaurants and bars across the province report their sales. Physical sales recording modules (SRMs) will be gradually phased out and replaced with a cloud-based system: the WEB-SRM. 

The shift is now underway.  The transition period will be from November 1, 2023 to June 1, 2025. 

What does this mean for your business? This article outlines some common questions about the switch from SRMs to WEB-SRM.

Before we begin—the new WEB-SRM is also referred to as MEV-WEB in French. You may have heard it abbreviated as MEV. For consistency and to avoid confusion, we refer to WEB-SRM throughout this article. 

Key terms

• SRS: Sales Recording System
• SRM: Sales Recording Modules
• WEB-SRM: cloud-based Sales Recording Module
• POS: Point of Sale

Why does my restaurant or bar need a SRM?

If you operate a restaurant, a business that provides catering services or a bar, Revenu Québec requires you to have a SRM in order to comply with their fiscal reporting standards. 

The SRM tracks sales and the taxes collected on those sales. The SRM is meant to help Revenu Québec reduce tax evasion and tax fraud. 

As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to make sure your SRM is active and compliant at all times. Find out more about SRM installation and use on Revenu Québec’s website. 

What’s a SRM?

A SRM functions like a small computer. It requires software provided by Revenu Québec. The software has to stay up to date. The SRM connects to your point of sale (POS) system or your cash register. It also connects to your receipt printer.

The SRM:

• Receives data about your business’s commercial transactions
• Securely records the data
• Sends information to the printer when it’s time to print a bill 

There are different models, but it looks like this:

What is WEB-SRM? 

WEB-SRM is a  system that validates and stores transaction data safely in the cloud before securely sending it to Revenu Québec. 

It replaces the physical SRM. 

How does WEB-SRM work?

1. A Revenu Québec certified Sales Recording System (SRS) constantly gathers transaction data. When you make a sale, the SRS sends the data to the WEB-SRM, which is a cloud-computing environment. 
2. Your customer immediately receives a paper or electronic receipt. The paper receipt includes a QR code they can scan. The electronic receipt has a hyperlink they can click.
3. The WEB-SRM validates and securely stores transaction data in the cloud. It also securely sends the data to Revenu Québec.
4. Data from the WEB-SRM moves into Revenu Québec’s informational environment.
5. Revenu Québec employees can now securely view the data.
6. You can see the transaction data your business sends to the WEB-SRM through the “My Account for Businesses” portal on Revenu Québec’s website. 

What does this mean for my business?

There are notable advantages to switching from a physical SRM to a cloud-based one. Restaurant and bar owners who use a WEB-SRM: 

• Are no longer obliged to send a periodic sales summary every month
• Can give their clients an electronic bill
• Can see their business’s transactions by checking the “My Account for Businesses” portal on Revenu Québec’s website
• Will no longer require a piece of hardware to stay fiscally compliant with Revenu Québec

I’m going to open a bar or a restaurant in Quebec. Do I need to get a WEB-SRM for my business? 

If you’re opening a bar or a restaurant in Quebec on or after November 1, 2023, then yes—you’re required to use the WEB-SRM. 

I own a restaurant or a bar in Quebec. I’m about to open a new location in the province. Do I need to get a WEB-SRM for my business? 

Yes. If you’re opening a new location in Quebec on or after November 1, 2023, WEB-SRM is necessary for your new location.

I own a bar or a restaurant in Quebec. Do I need to get a WEB-SRM for my business? 

If you own a restaurant or a bar in Quebec but aren’t opening any new locations within the province on or after November 1, 2023, you’ll have the opportunity to get a Revenu Québec-certified SRS compatible with the WEB-SRM. 

What’s the deadline for getting a WEB-SRM?

As of November 1, 2023, all new bars and restaurants opening in the province have to use a WEB-SRM. 

If you own a restaurant and aren’t planning to open any new locations, you still need to get a WEB-SRM by May 31, 2025. 

Where can I get a WEB-SRM for my business?

The WEB-SRM isn’t a physical object. 

To use the cloud-based SRM, make sure:

• Your SRS is certified by checking this list, available on Revenu Québec’s website. 
• If your SRS is not certified, switch to a certified SRS by the appropriate deadline.

Lightspeed is fully certified. 

More information about the certification process can be found here. 

Is Lightspeed Restaurant compatible with WEB-SRM? 

Yes, Lightspeed Restaurant (K-Series) POS system  is compatible with WEB-SRM. For more information, you can reach out to our team. 

Disclaimer

Editor’s note: Nothing in this blog post should be construed as advice of any kind. Any legal, financial or tax-related content is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for obtaining advice from a qualified legal or accounting professional. Where available, we’ve included primary sources. While we work hard to publish accurate content, we cannot be held responsible for any actions or omissions based on that content. Lightspeed does not undertake to complete further verifications or keep this blog post updated over time.