Section 36, Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 [S10-75M]
As at 6 September 2026. In force from 1 July 2017 by Notification No. 9/2017-Central Tax, dated 28-6-2017 [N10-27X].
36. Period of retention of accounts.—
Every registered person required to keep and maintain books of account or other records in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 35 shall retain them until the expiry of seventy-two months from the due date of furnishing of annual return for the year pertaining to such accounts and records:
Provided that a registered person, who is a party to an appeal or revision or any other proceedings before any Appellate Authority or Revisional Authority or Appellate Tribunal or court, whether filed by him or by the Commissioner, or is under investigation for an offence under Chapter XIX, shall retain the books of account and other records pertaining to the subject matter of such appeal or revision or proceedings or investigation for a period of one year after final disposal of such appeal or revision or proceedings or investigation, or for the period specified above, whichever is later.
Defined terms in this text (11)
Chapter: Section 3, General Clauses Act, 1897 [S100SN] (In this Act, and in all Central Acts and Regulations made after the commencement of this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context): (9) "Chapter" shall mean a Chapter of the Act or Regulation in which the word occurs;
Commissioner: Section 3, General Clauses Act, 1897 [S100SN] (In this Act, and in all Central Acts and Regulations made after the commencement of this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context): (14) "Commissioner" shall mean the chief officer-in-charge of the revenue administration of a division;
Commissioner: 46 more definitions.
Court: Section 2, Indian Tolls Act, 1851 [S11B35] (In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—): "court" means a court of civil jurisdiction and includes a tribunal constituted under this Act
Court: Section 2, Indian Tolls Act, 1864 [S12AQM] (In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—): "court" means a court of civil jurisdiction and includes a tribunal constituted under this Act
Court: Section 2, Bombay Civil Courts Act, 1869 [S12EXG] (In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—): "court" means a court of civil jurisdiction and includes a tribunal constituted under this Act
Court: 47 more definitions.
month: Section 3, General Clauses Act, 1897 [S100SN] (In this Act, and in all Central Acts and Regulations made after the commencement of this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context): "month" shall mean a month reckoned according to the British calendar
offence: Section 3, General Clauses Act, 1897 [S100SN] (In this Act, and in all Central Acts and Regulations made after the commencement of this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context): "offence" shall mean any act or omission made punishable by any law for the time being in force
offence: 27 more definitions.
person: Section 3, General Clauses Act, 1897 [S100SN] (In this Act, and in all Central Acts and Regulations made after the commencement of this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context): "person" shall include any company or association or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not
person: 1 more definition.
registered: Section 3, General Clauses Act, 1897 [S100SN] (In this Act, and in all Central Acts and Regulations made after the commencement of this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context): (49) "registered", used with reference to a document, shall mean registered in India under the law for the time being in force for the registration of documents;
registered person: Section 2(94), Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017: "registered person" means a person who is registered under section 25 but does not include a person having a Unique Identity Number;
section: Section 3, General Clauses Act, 1897 [S100SN] (In this Act, and in all Central Acts and Regulations made after the commencement of this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context): (54) "section" shall mean a section of the Act or Regulation in which the word occurs;
section: 363 more definitions.
sub-section: Section 3, General Clauses Act, 1897 [S100SN] (In this Act, and in all Central Acts and Regulations made after the commencement of this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context): (61) "sub-section" shall mean a sub-section of the section in which the word occurs;
year: Section 3, General Clauses Act, 1897 [S100SN] (In this Act, and in all Central Acts and Regulations made after the commencement of this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context): "year" shall mean a year reckoned according to the British calendar
Made under this section, or naming it (0)
none
Cited by (1)
Rule 56, Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017 [S10-F0V], 19 June 2017, Band A. "section 36".
Not held (0)
none
Duties published under this section (0)
none