Scanning receipts - is the back actually important?

[-Joe-]

Hi there, just organising my life at the moment, and part of that is getting receipt management sorted. I'll be using an iPhone app to scan and read them, then disposing of the paper copies, which HMRC says is acceptable.

However, they also say to scan the front and back. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/record-keeping/ (How to keep your records) I'd prefer not to have to bother, as what do you do with all your photos of receipt backs? Is this necessary for standard shop receipts from high street stores? Or would it only really be important for invoices, things that could be double sided, etc?

 

[David Griffiths]

We've never had any issues with HMRC about this over several VAT inspections where we've provided scanned documents.. I wouldn't be surprised if the inspectors didn't even know that it was a requirement.

I don't think that I've ever seen any inspecting officer even look at the backs of invoices, but I don't sit there and watch them go through everything

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

I echo Davids experience, never yet had any issues with scanned invoices.

I think most invoices show all relevant details on the front but it would perhaps be wise to make sure if relevant details are on the reverse they are scanned too before the invoice is destroyed.

 

[kevin.doran]

I believe Sainsburys fuel receipts rather annoyingly have some purchase info on the back but that's literally the only one I can ever remember seeing.

 

[Mike Conroy]

normally on the back of a invoice it is just the terms and conditions of trade etc.HMRC are not normally intrested in this.

 

[-Joe-]

Excellent! Thanks very much for the help everyone, that saves a lot of hassle

 

[Fred_the_frog]

I believe Sainsburys fuel receipts rather annoyingly have some purchase info on the back but that's literally the only one I can ever remember seeing.

Yes! I have spent plenty of time sat wondering where the date is on a Sainsburys fuel receipt, only to remember it's on the back...