Spanish State Treasury Clarifies Invoice Retention Requirements to Prevent Penalties

The Spanish Treasury confirms invoices must be retained for at least four years under Law 58/2003, with longer retention periods applying to specific types of transactions and records.
Business records, including receipts, books, and correspondence, must be kept for six years in line with the Commercial Code, ensuring compliance and audit readiness.
Transactions involving investment gold require a five-year invoice retention period, distinct from the general four-year rule under Spain’s tax law.
Proper documentation—such as issued and received invoices, payment receipts, and delivery notes—is crucial to avoid fines of up to 2% of the transaction value or €300.
The expansion of electronic invoicing under reforms like VeriFactu makes accessible, legible, and traceable invoice storage more important than ever for businesses and individuals.
While no specific format for storing invoices is mandated, records must be organized, transparent, and include documented modifications to meet legal and tax authority expectations.
Non-compliance with retention requirements can result in substantial financial penalties and legal risks, highlighting the importance of proper record-keeping practices in daily business operations.