Self assessment ― record keeping

Produced by a Tolley Personal Tax expert

Personal Tax

Guidance

There is a legal requirement to retain records relating to the self assessment tax return. Although it is the taxpayer who must retain the records, it is acceptable for the agent to retain documents on their files, subject to the firm’s internal policy on document retention and data protection.

It is not specified in the legislation in what form the records must be kept (eg electronic records or paper copies). However, there is guidance in the HMRC Compliance Manual on this matter (see below). There is also guidance on the GOV.UK website.

Digital record keeping required under making tax digital (MTD) is discussed at the end of this guidance note.

How long should tax records be kept?

Even taking into account the time limits for keeping records discussed below, it is still a good idea to advise the taxpayer to retain documents relating to exceptional transactions for a longer period of time. If HMRC suspects that evasion has taken place, it can raise tax assessments going back as far as 20 years. As this is outside

Access this article and thousands of others like it
free for 7 days with a trial of Tolley+™ Guidance.

TAKE A FREE TRIAL

Popular Articles

Corporation Tax

Carried-forward losses restriction

Carried-forward losses restrictionOverview of the carried-forward loss restrictionAn important restriction in the use of losses carried forward was introduced by Finance (No 2) Act 2017. Subject to a de minimis of £5m (known as the deductions allowance), most carried-forward losses are restricted to

14 Jul 2020 11:09 | Produced by Tolley Read more

Personal Tax

Foreign self-employment

Foreign self-employmentTrading in another jurisdiction involves many issues, only some of which involve taxation. Advice should be taken, not only in relation to tax but on the wider business implications. For an overview of the points to consider for certain jurisdictions see Tolley's Global

14 Jul 2020 11:44 | Produced by Tolley Read more

Corporation Tax

Withholding tax

Withholding taxIntroductionUK tax must be withheld on UK payments including:•interest•royalties•rental incomeUK withholding tax may be reduced under the provisions of a double tax treaty (DTT). Prior to 1 June 2021, payments of interest and royalties made to EU resident associated companies were

14 Jul 2020 14:01 | Produced by Tolley Read more

UU��ֱ��