GTL Summary:

Cabinet Decision No. 74 of 2023 governs the methodology for preserving accounting records, allowing for both physical and electronic formats. Article 4 permits the retention of information contained in original documents provided the electronic copy is identical, readable, and reproducible upon Authority request. It references the retention periods in Article 3 and empowers the Authority to impose reasonable requirements to ensure data availability matches that of original records, thereby facilitating effective verification of tax obligations.

Document Type: ERS - Executive Regulations
Law: Tax Procedures (FDL No 28 of 2022)
Decision Number: executive-regulations-74-article-4
Year: 2023
Country: 🇦🇪 UAE
Official Name: Article 4 - Method of Keeping Accounting Records and Commercial Books
Last updated at: 2026-01-02 15:13:10 UTC

Article 4 - Method of Keeping Accounting Records and Commercial Books

  1. The obligation to keep accounting records and commercial books shall be met by either:

    1. Creating a record and retaining the original documents which support the entries contained in the record.

    2. Creating a record and retaining the information contained in the original documents, provided that the following is met:

      1. The information contained in the record is identical to the data contained in the original document, and shall be available during the periods referred to in Article 3 of this Decision.

      2. The information is retained or stored in either photocopy or electronic copy, and an easily readable copy of which can be reproduced, if requested by the Authority, within the period as specified by the Authority in accordance with the provisions Article 48 of the Decree- Law.

      3. The information is retained or stored in a manner that enables the Authority to verify the Person’s Tax obligations.

  2. The Authority may specify the rules for maintaining the information contained in accounting records and commercial books, and impose reasonable requirements for ensuring that the information will be available as if the original records themselves had been preserved.

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