eReceipts

Electronic receipts, or e-receipts, are digital representations of a sales receipt issued by merchants after a transaction. They are delivered via email, SMS, a merchant app, a wallet, or directly through an online account. E-receipts typically include merchant identification, date and time, total amount, payment method, itemized purchases, tax information, and a unique receipt or order number. Some may include return policies, warranty information, loyalty points, or a link to the merchant's returns portal.

They are generated by point-of-sale or e-commerce systems and stored as electronic records, enabling easier organization and integration with accounting, expense management, and tax reporting. Compared with paper receipts, e-receipts save paper, reduce physical storage needs, and streamline refunds and exchanges. They can be secured with digital signatures, encryption, and tamper-evident mechanisms, depending on the system, though privacy and data protection considerations apply since receipts can contain personal information.

In many jurisdictions electronic receipts have the same legal validity as paper receipts, provided the consumer consents to electronic delivery and proper records are maintained. Merchants must comply with applicable consumer protection, tax, and data privacy laws, including opt-out requirements where applicable. Delivery methods vary by retailer and platform, including email attachment (PDF), in-app notices, SMS, or QR codes that link to a hosted receipt. E-receipts are commonly used in online shopping and increasingly in brick-and-mortar retail via integrated POS and mobile wallet ecosystems.