Quick answer
Keep your records for at least 5 years after the 31 January deadline for the tax year they relate to. For 2026/27, that means until at least 31 January 2033. Keep them longer if you sent a late final declaration or HMRC is checking your return.
What to keep
Your digital records of income and expenses
Receipts, invoices and bank statements that back them up
Records of any assets you bought for the business
Switching software
Export your records before you cancel a subscription. Losing access to old software doesn’t change how long you need to keep the records.
Longer periods
If you file late, or HMRC opens a check into your return, you may need to keep records for longer.