How long do you need to keep receipts? (US, Canada, UK, Australia)
| Country | General rule for business records |
|---|---|
| United States (IRS) | Generally 3 years from when you filed the return; 6 years if you under-reported income by more than 25%; 4 years for employment-tax records; indefinitely if no return or a fraudulent return was filed. IRS |
| Canada (CRA) | 6 years from the end of the last tax year the records relate to. CRA |
| United Kingdom (HMRC) | Self-employed: at least 5 years after the 31 January submission deadline of the tax year. Limited companies: generally 6 years from the end of the financial year. GOV.UK |
| Australia (ATO) | Generally 5 years from when you lodge your return. ATO |
This is a summary, not tax advice — special cases (assets, losses, objections) can require longer.
Keeping receipts digitally
Tax authorities in all four countries accept electronic records if they are legible and complete. A practical routine: photograph or save each receipt as you get it, convert the month's receipts with TillSheet, and keep the spreadsheet next to the original files in a dated folder. The spreadsheet makes the archive searchable; the originals are your evidence. Thermal receipts fade within months, so don't wait for tax season.
Last reviewed 2026-10-27. General information, not tax advice.