Retention periods for VAT documents
Summary dated 1 September 2021 of the essential legal provisions regarding the retention periods of your archives.
| Documents | Minimum retention period | Format | Start date of retention period | Act |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Invoices Every taxpayer has to retain received invoices, as well as copies of the invoices that have been issued by himself, his customer or his purchaser or, in his name and in his account, by a third party. |
7 years | original or electronic copy (1) | As from January 1st following their date | Articles 60 §§ 1 and 4 VAT Code. See also circular AAFisc Nr. 14/2014 (Nr. E.T. 120.000) of 4 April 2014 on electronic invoices |
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Ledgers (2) The retention obligation also applies to ledgers and other documents for which the VAT Code (or the implementing provisions) prescribe the retention, the drafting or the issuing. |
7 years | original or electronic copy (1) |
For ledgers: as from January 1st following their closure For the other documents: as from the date of the document For documents with relation to deliveries concerning pieces of art, collection pieces and antiquities (article 58 § 4, 7° VAT Code): as from January 1st following the year in which the right of deduction came into being |
Article 60 §4 VAT Code. |
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The obligation of retention also applies to taxpayers and non-taxable legal person, established in Belgium, with relation to invoices or documents that are to be regarded as such concerning intra-Community acquisitions of goods or purchases carried out abroad, of account books, accounting documents, contracts, documents with relation to the order of goods and services, with relation to the shipping, delivery of goods, of statements of accounts, payment documents, as well as other books and pieces with relation to the exercised activities. |
7 years | original or electronic copy (1) | As from January 1st following their date | Article 60 § 4 VAT Code |
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Information with relation to the analysis, the programs and the commercialisation of computerised systems |
7 years | original or electronic copy (1) | As from January 1st following the last year | Article 60 § 4 VAT Code |
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The standard retention period for invoices is, as mentioned above, 7 years. This period is, however, extended to 15 years for documents related to the construction or purchase of real estate assets, or to obtaining the commercial rights to such real estate assets. |
15 years | original (1) | As from January 1st following the end date of the financial year or following the date on which it was drawn up or issued | Article 9 §§ 2-3 and article 11 § 4 Royal Decree no. 3 of 10 December 1969 and article 48 VAT Code |
Although we have composed this list with much care, Merak N.V. cannot be held responsible for any errors or any changes made to legislation.
(1) Invoices can be stored in a digital format, namely via electronic devices for the storage of data, including digital compression (article 60 § 6 VAT Code).
The storage may take place in any place, provided that the taxpayer can, at every request and without undue delay, provide the administration with the invoices and copies of the invoices.
An exception applies for taxpayers established in Belgium, that have to store the invoices and copies of invoices in Belgium, in case they cannot be stored in an electronic format that is entirely accessible online in Belgium (article 60 § 2 VAT Code).
The authenticity of the origin, the integrity of the content, as well as the readability of the invoice, in paper or in electronic format, must be guaranteed for the entire retention period as from the moment the invoice is issued, until the end of the retention period.
The taxpayer himself determines how the authenticity of the origin, the integrity of the content and the readability of the invoice are guaranteed. Any business controls that show a reliable audit trail between the invoice and the delivery of a good or service, can be used to provide the guarantee (article 60 § 5 VAT Code).
(2) The VAT Code mentions, amongst others: the book for incoming invoices, the book for outgoing invoices, the table of fixed assets, the register of returns, the bespoke work register, …