Tax Free Digitax switched to domestic Smart Engines technology

2022: Transition to domestic technology for document and bank card recognition Smart ID Engine

  On December 15, 2022, Smart Engines announced that the Russian digital operator Tax Free DIGITAX, specializing in VAT refund service for foreign tourists, has introduced Smart Engines technology for safe recognition of ID documents and bank cards in its mobile application, self-service terminals and web portal. The Smart ID Engine recognition module is used to automatically enter all the necessary data when issuing Tax Free electronic checks.  

DIGITAX service is a multifunctional digital VAT administration platform that allows you to refund VAT to foreign non-resident buyers using the Tax Free system. The Tax Free system allows tourists from countries outside EEU (,,, and) to Russia Belarus Armenia Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan return VAT for purchases made in Russia when traveling abroad. The minimum cost should goods be at least 10 thousand. rubles

This option has become widespread among foreign tourists. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, since the test launch of the system, the turnover of Tax Free checks has been constantly growing. In 2018, it amounted to 7.7 billion rubles, in 2019 - 13.9 billion rubles (+ 80%), and in 2020 - already 16.4 billion rubles (+ 18%). By the beginning of 2021, tourists from 200 states made purchases with tax free in total for a total of about 38 billion rubles, and the number of checks issued amounted to more than 280 thousand.

To issue Tax Free electronic checks, a foreigner needs to use a self-service terminal, mobile application or DIGITAX web portal and issue a Tax Free electronic check. Entering data into the Tax Free check from identity documents, as well as payment details, has become much faster and easier by introducing Smart Engines recognition technology. Now, to do this, it is enough to bring your passport or bank card to the camera mobile phone or terminal, and the system automatically reads the data and enters it into the completed form.

The company is pleased to have opted for Smart Engines, a multifunctional software product. It is able to instantly recognize documents - including with machine-readable zones (MRZ) - in more than 100 languages ​ ​ of the world, as well as scan all types of bank cards. The introduction of this technology, according to the company, will improve the usability of both self-service terminals and a mobile application, said Advisor to the General Director of DIGITAX Oleg Rubtsov.

For Smart Engines, it is an absolute achievement that technology is being used in increasing numbers. industries economies The partnership with DIGITAX opens up opportunities to serve foreign tourists who arrive in Russia and make purchases here. In addition to the service provided and attractive prices in, shops foreigners will be offered a system for recognizing electronic checks, MRZ and bank cards from Smart Engines, noted CEO of Smart Engines Candidate of Technical Sciences Vladimir Arlazarov.