Site navigation

What is the ordinary retention period under Section 36 of the CGST Act for accounts and records, assuming there is no proceeding or investigation requiring longer retention?

Question and options

What is the ordinary retention period under Section 36 of the CGST Act for accounts and records, assuming there is no proceeding or investigation requiring longer retention?

  1. 6 years from the due date of the annual return

  2. 8 years from the date of the invoice

  3. 8 years from the due date of the annual return

  4. 5 years from the date of filing the annual return

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - 6 years from the due date of the annual return

Section 36 of the CGST Act requires accounts and records to be retained for 72 months, that is six years, from the due date of the annual return for the year they relate to. Where an appeal, revision, proceeding or investigation is pending, they must be kept for a year after its final disposal or for the 72 months, whichever is later.

Practice for these exams

Related exam syllabi

More solved explanations in GST - levy, supply, input tax credit, registration & returns