Can I Throw Away Original Receipts After Scanning?

The dream of a paperless office or a clutter-free home often hits a roadblock: the fear that a digital copy isn't "official" enough. Can you really shred that thermal paper slip once it's in the cloud? In most cases, the answer is a resounding yes.

Is a Digital Copy "Legal"?

In both the United States and South Africa, tax authorities (IRS and SARS) have modernized their approach to record-keeping. As long as your digital image is a "true and accurate" representation of the original, it is generally accepted as valid for tax purposes.

This means your scan must be:

• Clear: All text, dates, and amounts must be legible.
• Complete: The entire receipt should be visible, not just the total.
• Uninterrupted: The data should be stored in a way that prevents unauthorized changes.

When to Keep the Paper

While 99% of your daily receipts can be tossed after scanning, there are a few exceptions where the physical original is still important:

• Government Documents: Original certificates, deeds, and stamped official documents.
• Specific Warranties: Rare high-value items where the manufacturer explicitly requires the "original physical receipt" (check the fine print).
• High-Value Asset Proof: Some insurance claims for jewelry or art may prefer physical appraisals or receipts.

The Risk of Keeping Paper

Ironically, keeping only the paper can be riskier than going digital. Thermal receipts are notorious for fading into blank white slips within months. Paper is also vulnerable to fire, flood, and simple loss. A secure, backed-up digital copy is often the most resilient form of evidence you can have.