Rule 42 - Books and Accounts. (Section 48)

Recordkeeping requirement: comprehensive books and accounts mandate tax, purchase, sales, stock and transport records for dealers to ensure VAT compliance.

Rule 42 requires dealers to maintain comprehensive books and accounts including a monthly account of output and input tax and net tax position; detailed purchase records with preserved tax invoices; segregated sales records by tax rate and status; inter state sales/transfer records with statutory declarations; input tax calculation records for mixed sales; stock, manufacturing and storage records; order and delivery documentation; annual accounts, bank records and primary accounting books. Composition scheme taxpayers must keep goods transaction details and basic accounting books. Storage facility owners and transporters must record consignor particulars, quantities, values, dates, destinations, vehicle details and goods receipt references.