How long do I need to keep business records for tax?
Answered 11 March 2026
Here is a summary of how long you need to keep business records for tax purposes in the UK:
HMRC Guidance / Practice
The retention period depends on the type of tax involved. HMRC's Compliance Handbook confirms that tax law sets out specific retention periods for each tax, and where a record serves more than one purpose, you must keep it for the longest applicable period.
Key retention periods by tax type:
| Tax | Retention Period | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| VAT | At least 6 years (generally) | |
| VAT – Capital Goods Scheme (CGS) | Longer than 6 years – keep records long enough to show how each CGS adjustment was calculated (adjustments can arise up to 10 years later) | |
| Income Tax & Capital Gains Tax | See CH14510 (detailed guidance) | |
| Corporation Tax | See CH14600 |
VAT records – specific document types:
HMRC guidance provides a tiered schedule for VAT record retention:
| Record Type | Minimum Period |
|---|---|
| Orders, delivery notes, invoices for employee expenses | 1 year |
| Production/stock records, diaries, business letters | 1 year |
| Import/export documents | 3 years |
| Daybooks, ledgers, cashbooks | 3 years |
| Purchase invoices, sales invoices, credit/debit notes | 4 years |
| Daily gross takings, retail scheme records | 4 years |
| Bank statements, management accounts, annual accounts | 5 years |
| Any record containing the VAT account | 6 years (no reduction) |
General rules:
- If the 6-year VAT rule causes serious storage problems or undue expense, you can consult HMRC, who may allow a shorter period for some records.
- You should always keep records for the longer period where different taxes require different retention periods.
- Records may also need to be kept for non-tax purposes (e.g. legal proceedings), and the longer of all applicable periods should be used.
⚠️ Note: The retrieved sources do not include the full text of CH14510 (income tax/CGT) or CH14600 (corporation tax) retention periods. For the precise statutory periods for self-assessment or company tax records, you should consult those HMRC Compliance Handbook pages directly at www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/compliance-handbook.
Citation sources
Generally, you must keep all your business records for VAT purposes for at least 6 years. Records that you use for other tax purposes may need to be kept for longer periods. If the 6-year rule causes you serious storage problems or undue expense, or you need advice on records for other types of tax, then you should consult VAT general enquiries. We may be able to allow you to keep some records for a shorter period.
You’re not required to keep VAT records for longer than 6 years. But the CGS requires you to make adjustments up to 10 years later. You should keep records long enough to show us how you calculated each adjustment.
Tax law sets out the length of time that a person must retain the records that will allow them to make a correct and complete return for a particular tax period. This applies even if the person does not normally make a return or claim. You will find details of these retention periods for income tax and capital gains tax at CH14510 corporation tax at CH14600 direct taxes claims not included in a return at CH14900 VAT at CH15000 insurance premium tax at CH14930 stamp duty land tax at CH14940 aggre
Type of manual record Minimum period to keep the record for Sales or service dockets (mainly used by large organisations especially those involved mainly in retail trading e.g. mail order houses). No minimum period. May be destroyed when no longer needed. Copies of orders, delivery notes, dispatch notes, goods returned notes, invoices for expenses incurred by employees. 1 year Production records, stock records (except those for second hand schemes), job cards, appointment books, diaries, busines