GoBD
Digital Bookkeeping & Archiving
BMF Letter 28.11.2019
GoBD applies to all companies required to keep books in Germany. Immutability, completeness, and 10-year retention are not recommendations – they are law.
Tax offices increasingly audit digitally with IDEA software. Companies without GoBD-compliant IT systems risk revenue estimations.
Legal basis
BMF Letter of 28.11.2019
Jan. 2020
Valid since
10 years
Accounting records
6 years
Business correspondence
All bookkeeping-obligated
Applies to
The six core principles of GoBD
GoBD defines clear requirements for digital bookkeeping.
Immutability
Booked data may not be changed without documentation.
Completeness & accuracy
All transactions must be fully and correctly recorded.
Timeliness
Bookings must be made promptly.
Order & traceability
Documents must be stored in an orderly and clear manner.
Traceability & auditability
Every transaction must be traceable.
Data access (Z1/Z2/Z3)
Tax authorities have three access options.
Retention periods overview
GoBD specifies which documents must be retained for how long.
Accounting records
- Incoming invoices
- Outgoing invoices
- Register receipts
- Bank statements
- Annual statements
- Opening balance sheets
- Inventories
Business correspondence & other documents
- Business letters
- Business emails
- Offers, order confirmations
- Delivery notes
- Contracts
Special aspects of digital documents
Replacement scanning
Paper documents may be scanned and originals destroyed.
Process documentation
Every organization must maintain process documentation.
No Excel accounting
Excel generally does not meet GoBD requirements.
Development & current status
Current GoBD published
BMF letter updates the GoBD.
GoBD 2019 fully applicable
Cloud systems and remote work are considered.
Currently validRegular tax audits
Tax office regularly audits with IDEA software.
How we help with GoBD conformity
From system check to audit preparation.
GoBD System Check
Review IT landscape and accounting processes.
- Check accounting software
- Analyze archiving systems
- Review process documentation
- Test data access
Audit-proof Archiving
Implement GoBD-compliant archiving systems.
- Set up audit-proof archive
- Define scanning processes
- Create process documentation
- Configure software
Ensure audit readiness
Prepare for tax audits.
- Set up data access
- Test IDEA export
- Employee training
- Update process documentation
Frequently Asked Questions about GoBD
GoBD-compliant: Is your bookkeeping audit-proof?
Have your IT systems checked for GoBD conformity.
Schedule GoBD checkWe will get back to you within 24 hours.