54. Period of retention of accounts
Every registered taxable person required to keep and maintain books of account or other records under sub-section (1) of section 53 shall retain them until the expiry of sixty months from the due date of filing of Annual Return for the year pertaining to such accounts and records:
PROVIDED that a taxable person, who is a party to an appeal or revision or any other proceeding before any Appellate Authority or Revisional Authority or Tribunal or Court, whether filed by him or by the department, or is under investigation for an offence under Chapter XIX, shall retain the books of account and other records pertaining to the subject matter of such appeal or revision or proceeding or investigation for a period of one year after final disposal of such appeal or revision or proceeding or investigation, or for the period specified above, whichever is later.
