scan and throw away invoices?

[Lope]

Is it legal to scan your invoices, and then recycle them (keeping the digital copy + backup)?

I'd like to eliminate junk.

Many of the invoices I receive are already digital (no paper version existed)

Side note: I wouldn't actually scan them (scanning is too slow), I'd set up a camera and tripod and a place to put the pages then just photograph them all and then file them on the PC.

 

[Skywalker42]

This Retention of Documents publication discusses the alternative available means of storing company and personal documents. It also lists the periods that documents should be retained. This book only acts as a guide to the retention of documents and records. Every company and individual must decide what methods would suit them best. This publication has been prepared by Deloitte’s Accounting, Auditing and Legal Divisions for the use of clients and staff of Deloitte. It reflects our interpretation of the law as in existence on 1 February 2003.

http://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-SouthAfrica/Local%20Assets/Guide_Retention_of_Records_Sep2009.pdf

and

http://www.paperless.co.za/SarsDocumentRetention.pdf

 

[Lounger]

These things accumulate like confetti. One can never retrieve the one you want, when you want. Would a store accept a copy?

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

This new year financial year we are going to scan and immediately file away our invoices, just get yourself a storage box. Also see who can supply you your documents electronically, since I got a home shredder we where surprised how many invoices where posted that we where able to get electronically.

 

[Lope]

That paperless website seems to imply that you can destroy the original invoices once you've made digital images of them. is that the case?

 

[mercurial]

Just buy a flip-file and store your invoices in there. That's what I do.