Digital storage of paper records

You can store and keep paper records digitally. The ATO accepts images of business paper records saved on a digital storage device, provided the digital copies are true and clear reproductions of the original paper records and meet the 5 rules for record-keeping. 

Once you’ve saved an image of your original paper records, you don’t have to keep the paper versions. 

Creating a digital version of paper EFTPOS merchant receipts is a good practice as the details on some of these can fade over time. 

Record keeping

Steps Progress

Record keeping overview

10 mins

Tasks and tips

6 mins

Starting your business records

2 mins

Digital record keeping

5 mins

Manual or paper record keeping

2 mins

Banking records

2 mins

Income records

3 mins

Accounting for private use of assets

9 mins

Motor vehicle deductions records

2 mins

Home-based business deductions records

1 mins

Other deductions records

1 mins

Stock and asset records

5 mins

GST records

1 mins

Employee records

7 mins

Car fringe benefits records

1 mins

Expense payment FBT records

2 mins

Contractor records

2 mins

Sharing economy records

1 mins

Cryptocurrency records

1 mins

Records for other taxes

5 mins

Sole trader structure records

4 mins

Partnership structure records

3 mins

Company structure records

3 mins

Trust structure records

1 mins

Changing your business structure records

1 mins

Selling or closing your business records

2 mins

Related courses

1 mins

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