CH214500 - How to do a compliance check: records: revenue traders’ electronic documents and records

HMRC no longer have to give prior approval to revenue traders on the form and means in which they keep records. A revenue trader may opt to maintain records on a computer without the prior approval of HMRC.

The form and means in which records are kept may be subject to any conditions and exceptions specified in writing by HMRC.

‘In writing’ is deliberately wide and includes specifying in a notice, approval or a letter to a revenue trader.

‘In writing’ also includes regulations requiring revenue traders to keep and preserve records containing information about their businesses and about their dealings in excise and other goods and services, where those regulations prescribe the way in which the records are to be kept. For example, The Revenue Traders (Accounts and Records) Regulations 1992.