What is a business records retention policy?

A business records retention policy is a document that outlines how long a business is expected to keep important records. This policy is important to ensure that the company can comply with state and federal regulations. In Missouri, businesses are required to keep certain documents for designated periods of time. The types of records that a business must keep will vary based on the type of company and its activities. For example, a retail business may need to keep purchases, sales and inventory records while a manufacturing business may need to keep records related to personnel, workplace safety and financial activities. Generally, most businesses need to keep records such as tax returns, income statements, balance sheets and invoices. A business records retention policy can help the business stay organized and make sure all the required records are available when needed. It should detail which records need to be kept, for how many years and in what format. For instance, some of the records may need to be kept only in paper form, while others can be kept in electronic form. The policy should also detail the periodic review of the documents to make sure that they are up-to-date and accurate. If the policy is not followed and documents are not kept for the required amount of time, the business may face fines or other legal action. Ultimately, a business records retention policy is an important document that all businesses in Missouri should have in place. It helps ensure that the business is compliant with state and federal regulations and that all necessary documents are available when needed.

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