§105-164.22. Record-keeping requirements, inspection authority, and effect of failure to keep records

Retailers, wholesale merchants, and consumers must keep for a period of three years records that establish their tax liability under this Article. The Secretary or a person designated by the Secretary may inspect these records at any reasonable time during the day.

A retailer's records must include records of the retailer's gross income, gross sales, net taxable sales, and all items purchased for resale. Failure of a retailer to keep records that establish that a sale is exempt under this Article subjects the retailer to liability for tax on the sale.

A wholesale merchant's records must include a bill of sale for each customer that contains the name and address of the purchaser, the date of the purchase, the item purchased, and the price at which the wholesale merchant sold the item. Failure of a wholesale merchant to keep these records for the sale of an item subjects the wholesale merchant to liability for tax at the rate that applies to the retail sale of the item.

A consumer's records must include an invoice or other statement of the purchase price of an item the consumer purchased from outside the State. Failure of the consumer to keep these records subjects the consumer to liability for tax on the purchase price of the item, as determined by the Secretary.

(1957, c. 1340, s. 5; 1973, c. 476, s. 193; 1998-98, s. 51; 2009-451, s. 27A.3(n).)