Going paperless: storing receipts digitally
How to manage and store digital receipts
HMRC accepts digital copies of receipts and invoices in place of paper originals, provided they are legible and complete. Going paperless is simpler and safer than keeping physical records.
The easiest approach
Photograph receipts immediately using the Xero app. The app reads the amount and supplier and creates a draft entry. Alternatively, email invoices directly to your Xero Bills inbox. Both methods create a permanent digital record attached to the transaction in Xero.
What HMRC requires
The digital record must show: the supplier name, the date, the amount, and the VAT charged. A blurry or partial photograph does not satisfy Xero’s requirement. Take clear photographs in good light immediately after receiving a receipt, before it fades.
💡 Good to know: You do not need to keep the paper receipt once a clear digital copy is attached to the transaction in Xero. Six years of digital records stored in Xero satisfies HMRC's record-keeping requirement.
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