23 September 2019
Dear Experts, Is it mandatory to maintain physical copy of Invoices? Cant it be maintained in softcopy? Can any1 please share the section reference as per company act & Incometax act. Thanks In Advance Read more at: https://www.caclubindia.com/experts/query-regarding-mode-of-maintainence-of-evidence-2754984.asp
Read more at: https://www.caclubindia.com/experts/physical-invoices-vs-soft-copy-2757729.asp
04 June 2020
Maintenance of Books of Accounts Under Income Tax Act, GST Act & Companies Act
Books of accounts including vouchers and receipts are required to be maintained under different statutory laws – Income Tax Act, Companies Act 2013 and GST Act. Books to be maintained, retention period and compulsion requirements are different under all the 3 laws.
Under Income Tax Act If the sale/turnover/gross receipts from the business or profession is more than Rs. 25,00,000 or the income from business or profession is more than Rs. 2,50,000 in any of the 3 preceding years, then books of accounts will be compulsorily maintained.
Following professions are covered under this provision –
Legal Medical Engineering Architectural Accountancy Technical consultancy Interior decoration Authorised Representative (one who charges fees for representing someone before tribunal or any authority) Film artist (producer, editor, actor, director, music director, art director, dance director, cameraman, singer, lyricist, story writer, screenplay or dialogue writer and costume designers. Company secretary Thus, if the above-mentioned professions have an income of more than Rs. 2,50,000 in any of the 3 preceding years, they need to maintain books of accounts. In case of a new profession also, if the income is expected to be more than Rs. 2,50,000, the professionals should maintain books.
Books of accounts as per Rule 6F Cash Book Journal Ledgers Copies of bills or receipts Daily cash register with details of patients, services rendered, fees received and date of receipt (persons carrying on medical profession) Details of stock of drugs, medicines, and other consumables used (persons carrying on medical profession) If the income isn’t more than Rs. 2,50,000 in any of the 3 preceding years or not expected to be more than Rs. 2,50,000 in case of a new profession, then also books should be maintained. However, books, in this case, haven’t been specified – so any books can be maintained but it should be such that ATO can calculate the income.
For how long should the books be maintained?
Books should be maintained for a period of 6 years from the end of the relevant year.
Under Companies Act
Every company has to maintain books of accounts, at the registered office or any office that board of directors may decide. If the company is maintaining books at an office other than the registered office, it has to intimate the same to RoC. The company can maintain the accounts electronically also.
For how long should the books be maintained?
Books should be maintained for a period of 8 years from the end of the relevant financial year.
Books of accounts to be maintained
Cash flow statement Records of sales and purchases, Records of assets and liabilities Items of cost Deeds, vouchers, writing, documents, minutes, and registers whether in physical or electronic mode Under GST Act
Every registered person has to maintain GST records at the principal place of business.
Records to be maintained
Production or manufacture of goods Inward and outward supply of goods or services or both Stock of goods Input tax credit availed Output tax payable and paid and Other particulars as may be prescribed For how long should the records be maintained?
Books and records should be maintained for 6 years from the last date of filing of the annual return (31st December) for that year.
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