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08.08.2024 / article from PKF Nachrichten 07-08/2024

The Federal Ministry of Finance (Bundesministerium der Finanzen, BMF) recently updated its 2019 circular on the principles for the application of the ‘Principles of Proper Keeping and Retention of Accounts, Records and Documents in Electronic Form and for Data Access’ (Grundsätze zur ordnungsmäßigen Führung und Aufbewahrung von Büchern, Aufzeichnungen und Unterlagen in elektronischer Form sowie zum Datenzugriff, GoBD). These contain extensive provisions for ensuring that the digital records and processes in a company comply with applicable rules and regulations.

The adjustment became necessary on account of the Act to Transpose the Council Directive (EU) 2021/514 of 22.3.2021. This Directive aims to improve administrative cooperation in the field of taxation and to modernise procedural tax law. That is why, in its circular of 11.3.2024 (reference: IV D 2 - S 0316/21/10001 :002), the BMF revised the hitherto applicable GoBD, which were last published in its circular of 28.11.2019 and updated them with immediate effect.

The important points included in the new GoBD are, in particular, the obligation to record business transactions in a manner that is timely and unalterable as well as requirements for the proper keeping of digital documents and for the preparation of detailed documentation on procedures that ensure the traceability of digital flows.

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