Small Business Accountants

How long do I need to keep accounting records for?

UK limited companies must keep accounting records for at least six years from the end of the financial year they relate to, under the Companies Act 2006 and HMRC rules. Sole traders and self-employed individuals keep their records for at least five years after the 31 January self-assessment filing deadline. Records can be stored digitally so long as they are complete, clear, and available on request by HMRC.

How long do I need to keep accounting records for? - GoForma Small Business | UK Accountants & Tax Advisors
This article is part of our Small Business Accountants guide — your essential resource for running a small business.

<p>You must keep your records for at least 5 years after the 31 January submission deadline of the relevant tax year.</p>

Need help with this for your business?

Book a free 20-minute call with one of our MAAT or ACCA qualified accountants. We will tell you honestly whether we can help.

203 5-star reviews
ACCA & AAT qualified
Set up in 24 hours