Self assessment ― record keeping

Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
Produced by a Tolley Personal Tax expert
Personal Tax
Guidance

Self assessment ― record keeping

Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
Produced by a Tolley Personal Tax expert
Personal Tax
Guidance
imgtext

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

Continue reading the full document
To gain access to additional expert tax guidance, workflow tools, generative tax AI, and tax research, register for a free trial of Tolley+™
TAKE A FREE TRIAL NOW
Powered by Tolley+™
  • 30 Jul 2025 13:30

Home/ Tolley Tax Guidance/ Personal Tax / Administration

Popular Articles

Owner-Managed Businesses

Allowable expenses for property businesses

Allowable expenses for property businessesGeneral itemsMany of the principles applying to allowable expenses for property businesses are similar to those that apply for trading and the rules for individuals in a property business are generally the same as for companies with some exceptions which are

14 Jul 2020 13:26 | Produced by Tolley in association with Rob Durrant-Walker of Crane Dale Tax, part of AMS Group Read more Read more
tag-icon Tax Returns
Personal Tax

Simple assessments

Simple assessmentsFrom 2016/17 onwards, HMRC has the power to make a ‘simple assessment’ of the taxpayer’s income tax and / or capital gains tax liability outside of the self assessment system. As HMRC already receives significant amounts of information on the income received and tax paid by

14 Jul 2020 13:40 | Produced by Tolley Read more Read more
Personal Tax

Interest and penalties on late paid tax under self assessment

Interest and penalties on late paid tax under self assessmentInterestIf the capital gains tax, the balancing payment or payments on account of tax and / or Class 4 national insurance contributions (NIC) are paid late, HMRC will charge interest on the amount overdue from the original due date. The

14 Jul 2020 12:00 | Produced by Tolley Read more Read more