Primary documents

Primary documentation is necessary for accounting and determining the scope of tax obligations. A primary document is any document that serves as the basis for an accounting entry, recognition of income, or expense in tax accounting.

Russian legislation does not establish specific types of documents that economic entities must use as primary accounting documents. The company independently determines the form of primary documents, except for united document forms established by law. The company prescribes information about the forms used and the list of documents in its accounting policy. If the organization develops its forms, they must be attached to the accounting policies. Accounting software generates united documents by default.

Any business transactions, by the requirements of Russian legislation, must be documented, including transactions with foreign companies.

The main document when working with a foreign company, confirming the supply of goods or provision of services, is the invoice, which is also the basis for making the payment. To deliver goods and clear customs, other accompanying documents must be attached to the cargo in addition to the invoice and contract.

Each document in a foreign language must have a line-by-line translation into Russian or be initially bilingual.

Conrmation of the company's expenses can be documents drawn up both by the Russian legislation and by the business customs of foreign countries where these expenses were incurred. Thus, if a Russian company receives a service from a foreign supplier, it can deduct expenses based on an invoice from the supplier without necessarily drawing up an act of service provided, as is customary in Russia.