English translation published by the NBR in its bilingual Regulations file (marked unofficial). The Arabic text published in the Official Gazette remains the legal reference in the event of any discrepancy.
The minimum Tax records include chronological transaction books, balance sheet and profit and loss, payroll, fixed assets, quantity-and-value inventory, issued invoices and notes, originals received, import and export customs documents and additional NBR-specified records. They must be secure, readable and reviewable.
Accounting, finance, inventory, payroll, customs, IT, Representatives and Agents.
An invoice file alone is not a complete record. Evidence should trace a transaction from entry to invoice, inventory or customs document and Return. A Representative must keep the records; an Agent may do so; the Taxable Person remains responsible for availability.
Current text
Record completeness test
- 1
Link each sale or purchase to entry, invoice and Return.
- 2
Keep financial statements, payroll and fixed assets.
- 3
Reconcile quantity-and-value inventory at relevant period end.
- 4
Keep issued copies and notes and originals received.
- 5
Link Imports and Exports to customs documents.
- 6
Test security, readability, extraction and review.
- 7
Implement any NBR notice requiring added records.
Connected provisions
Law — Article (69)
Record retentionThe Law creates the duty and this Article lists core records.
Open connected ArticleRegulations — Article (102)
Electronic retentionIt specifies access and security for electronic records.
Open connected ArticleRegulations — Article (103)
Retention periodsIt supplies periods by record, Capital Asset and real estate.
Open connected ArticleOfficial guides and tools
Connected Madar tools
Invoice PDFs without inventory ledger
A shop stores invoice PDFs but has no quantity-and-value inventory ledger and no customs-document link for Imports. Invoice storage helps, but it does not by itself meet the record list or explain differences between purchases, sales and stock.
Questions to help you apply it
- Chronological and traceable?
- Quantity-and-value inventory?
- Received originals and issued copies?
- Customs linked to entries?
- Readable and extractable on request?