Guide to Business Records Retention Requirements

O.C.G.A. Title 10 -- COMMERCE AND TRADE

AGENCY
BUYING SERVICES--THE BUYING SERVICES ACT OF 1975
FLEA MARKET VENDORS
HOME INSULATION, LABELING AND ADVERTISING OF
RECORDS RETENTION PERIOD

SECURITIES--THE GEORGIA SECURITIES ACT OF 1973
DEALERS AND SALESMEN, RECORDS OF
DESIGNATED DEALERS AND SALESMEN SELLING DESIGNATED SECURITIES
INVESTMENT ADVISERS AND INVESTMENT ADVISER REPRESENTATIVES, RECORDS OF
ISSUERS OF REGISTERED SECURITIES

SELF-SERVICE STORAGE FACILITIES

WAREHOUSES, STATE LICENSED AND BONDED
COTTON WAREHOUSING
LEAF TOBACCO, CARRY-OVER STORAGE AND SALE
LEAF TOBACCO WAREHOUSING

WAREHOUSEMEN, RECORDS OF
WAREHOUSING, CONVENIENCE
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

Agency

Citation: O.C.G.A. Section 10-6-30 Agents and fiduciaries to keep accounts; effect of neglect.
Regulating Agency: None.
Requirement: To keep accounts in a regular manner and to be always ready with them in support by proper vouchers.
Affected Persons: Agents, trustees, administrators, guardians, receivers, and all other fiduciaries.
Retention Period: Not specified.

Buying Services--The Buying Services Act of 1975

Citation: O.C.G.A. Section 10-1-600 Records to be Kept; Inspection Thereof.
Regulating Agency: Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs.
Requirement: To keep and maintain (1) accurate accounts, books, and records of all transactions in the State of Georgia; (2) copies of all agreements; (3) dates and amounts of payments made and accepted thereon; and (4) the names and addresses of all members in the State of Georgia.
Persons Affected: Each buying service or club licensed in the State of Georgia.
Retention Period: Not specified.

Flea Market Vendor's Record-keeping

Citation: O.C.G.A. 10-1-360 "Flea Market Vendor's Record-Keeping" Defined; To obtain and maintain a permanent record book of all transactions.
Regulating Agency: State Revenue Commissioner
Requirement: To obtain and maintain a permanent record book which includes: Any property acquired for the purpose of retail sale; the date of any transaction; the name, age, and address of the person, corporation, or entity from whom the property was acquired, a description of the general appearance of any such person, and the distinctive number from such person's drivers license or other similar identification card; the price paid for such property; and the signature of the seller.
Persons Affected: Any person who sells personal property at a flea market.
Retention Period: A period of not less than two years.

Home Insulation, Labeling and Advertising of

Citation: Rule 122-6-.01 Labeling and Advertising of Home Insulation.
Regulating Agency: Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs.
Requirement: To keep: (1) records of each item of information in the "Room" section of the ASTM test method that is used for a test and (2) to keep records for extruded polystyrene, polyurethane, and polyisocyanurate of the name and address of the testing lab that did the test; the date of the test; the date of each test report received from the lab; the date each test report was sent to the manufacturer; the specimen that was tested; and, for aluminum foil, the emissurity level that was found in the test. [NOTE: The Office of Consumer Affairs has adopted by reference the Federal Trade Commission's trade regulation rule concerning labeling and advertising of home insulation (16 C.F.R. 460). The requirements, thus, come from the federal rule.]
Persons Affected: Home insulation manufacturers and testing labs.
Retention Period: Three years.
Related Code Sections: O.C.G.A. Section 10-1-394.

Records Retention Period

Citation: O.C.G.A. Section 10-11-2 Time period for retention of business records.
Regulating Agency: None.
Requirement: None. This statutory provision permits the destruction of business records which are required by Georgia law to be kept or preserved after the expiration of three (3) years, unless a specific period is designated by law for their preservation.
Persons Affected: Persons required to keep or preserve business records by Georgia law.
Retention Period: Three (3) years from the making of such records, unless a specific period is designated by law.

Securities--The Georgia Securities Act of 1973

Dealers and Salesmen, Records of

Citation: O.C.G.A. Section 10-5-3(l) Records.
Regulating Agency: Commissioner of Securities (Secretary of State).
Requirement: To make and keep such accounts and other records with respect to sales of securities in the State of Georgia as the Commissioner of Securities may by rule or regulation require. See Rule 590-4-2-.03.
Persons Affected: Every dealer, limited dealer, salesman, and limited salesman registered under the Georgia Securities Act of 1973 (O.C.G.A. 10-5-1, et seq.)
Retention Period: Five years unless the Commissioner of Securities shall provide otherwise.

Citation: Rule 590-4-2-.03 Records. Amended.
Regulating Agency: Commissioner of Securities (Secretary of State).
Requirement for NASD-member or SECO dealers: To make and keep such records as are required by the NASD and the SEC.
Requirements for Limited Dealers who buy and sell securities or hold securities for the account of customers and are not SEC-registered or NASD-member dealers: Requirements are extensive. See the text of the Rule 590-4-2-.03(2).
Requirements for Dealers and Limited Dealers who buy and sell securities or hold securities for the account of customers: Requirements are extensive. See the text of the Rule 590-4-2-.03(3), 590-4-2-.03(4), and 590-4-2-.03(5).
Requirements for Limited Dealers who do not hold securities for the account of customers and whose securities transactions are limited to selling securities: Requirements are extensive. See the text of the Rule 590-4-2-.03(6).
Persons Affected: Every dealer, limited dealer, salesman, and limited salesman registered under the Georgia Securities Act (O.C.G.A. 10-5-1, et seq.)
Retention Period: A period of not less than five years, the first two years in an easily accessible place. [Rules 590-4-2-.03(3), 590-4-2-.03(4), 590-4-2-.03(5), and 590-4-2-.03(6).] Partnership articles or articles of incorporation or charter, minute books, and stock certificate books must be preserved during the life of the enterprise and of any successor enterprise.

Citation: Rule 590-4-2-.03(8) Records. Amended.
Regulating Agency: Commissioner of Securities (Secretary of State).
Requirements for Salesmen and Limited Salesmen Who Are Not Subject to the Recordkeeping Requirements of the SEC or NASD: To make and maintain a record of all commissions, overrides, draws, salary, expenses, and other compensation or remuneration received in connection with his securities sales efforts and to make and maintain the following records with respect to every sale of securities in which such salesman participates in any way: (1) a description of the type and amount of securities sold; (2) the date of the sale; (2) the sales price and how such price was determined; (3) the commission earned and received from such sale; (4) a copy of any sales confirmation, subscription agreement, and other contract relating to the sale; (5) the name and address of the purchaser; and (6) the name and address of any person in addition to the salesman who participated in the sale, the nature of the participation, and the compensation or remuneration received by such other person for his assistance.
Persons Affected: Every salesman and limited salesman registered under the Georgia Securities Act (O.C.G.A. 10-5-1, et seq.) who is not subject to the recordkeeping requirements of the SEC or the NASD.
Retention Period: A period of not less than five years, the first two years in an easily accessible place.

Designated Dealers and Salesmen Selling Designated Securities

Citation: O.C.G.A. Section 10-5-12(m)(2)(D) Unlawful Practices.
Regulating Agency: Commissioner of Securities (Secretary of State).
Requirement: To obtain from the person to whom the designated dealer is selling a designated security a manually signed and dated copy of a written suitability statement described in detail in O.C.G.A. Section 10-5-12(m)(2)(C).
Persons Affected: Any designated dealer or designated salesman of securities who is selling a designated security.
Retention Period: Not specified, but see Rule 590-4-2-.03.

Related Code Sections: O.C.G.A. Section 10-5-2(a)(9) [definition of "designated dealer"], Section 10-5-2(a)(10) [definition of "designated salesman"], and Section 10-5-2(a)(11) [definition of "designated security"].

Investment Advisors and Investment Advisor Representatives, Records of

Citation: O.C.G.A. Section 10-5-3(l) Records.
Regulating Agency: Commissioner of Securities (Secretary of State).
Requirement: To make and keep such accounts and records with respect to its business activities in the State of Georgia as the Commissioner of Securities may by rule or regulation require.
Retention Period: Five years unless the Commissioner of Securities shall provide otherwise.

Citation: Rule 590-4-8-.09 Books and Records to be Maintained by Investment Advisers.
Regulating Agency: Commissioner of Securities (Secretary of State).
Requirement: Requirements are extensive. See the text of the Rule.
Retention Period: A period of not less than five years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on such record, with the records being held during the first two years in an appropriate office of the investment adviser.
Related Code Sections: O.C.G.A. Section 10-5-3(k).

Issuers of Registered Securities

Citation: Rule 590-4-3-.05 Records to be Made and Maintained by Issuers of Registered Securities. Amended.
Regulating Agency: Commissioner of Securities (Secretary of State).
Requirement: Requirements are extensive. See the text of the Rule.
Persons Affected: Every issuer of securities which are subject to an effective registration statement.
Retention Period: A period of 12 months after the effective date of the registration statement or any renewal thereof.
Related Code Sections: O.C.G.A. Sections 10-5-5(b)(2), 10-5-10(d), and 10-5-2(a)(16) [definition of "issuer"].

Self-Service Storage Facilities--The Georgia Self-Service Storage Facility Act

Citation: O.C.G.A. Section 10-4-213 Enforcement of lien without judicial intervention.
Regulatory Agency: None.
Requirement: To obtain from the occupant of a self-service storage facility a written rental agreement which includes certain language expressly provided in the code section.
Persons Affected: An owner of a self-service storage facility who wishes to be able to enforce a lien upon property located at the facility with judicial intervention.
Retention Period: Not specified.

Warehouses, State Licensed and Bonded--The Georgia State Warehouse Act

Cotton Warehousing.

Citation: O.C.G.A. Section 10-4-75 Warehouse Receipt Books; Execution and Sealing of Receipts.
Regulating Agency: Marketing Division of the Department of Agriculture.
Requirement: To be accountable for each receipt in a cotton warehouse receipt book.
Persons Affected: Every warehouse conducting business under the Georgia State Warehouse Act (O.C.G.A. Title 10, Chapter 4, Article 1) which stores cotton.
Retention Period: Not specified, but see Rule 40-14-3-.05, which requires preservation of all books, papers, accounts, and other records relating to the operation of the warehouse during the effective period of the license for a period of six years or until released in writing by the Commissioner of Agriculture or the Director of the Marketing Division of the Department of Agriculture.
Related Code Sections: O.C.G.A. Sections 10-4-23 and 10-4-24.

Leaf Tobacco, Carry-Over Storage and Sale

Citation: Rule 40-18-3-.06 Licensed Leaf Tobacco Storage Operators Records and Reports.
Regulating Agency: Commissioner of Agriculture.
Requirement: To keep records containing (1) the number of pounds of carry-over tobacco received by the licensed operator for storage until the next selling season, identifying the amount from each producer; (2) the final disposition of the tobacco, whether redeemed by the producer or sold by the operator for the producer at the subsequent selling season; (3) the origin and disposition of the carry-over tobacco; (4) copies of all reports which the operator is required by law or regulation to submit to the United States Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Service; and (5) a statement of the amount of tobacco tendered by a producer, giving the United States Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Marketing Service grade for each individual sheet of tobacco and the amount to be charged for servicing that tobacco other than actual cost of redrying as leaves or strips and shipping charges.
Persons Affected: Licensed leaf tobacco storage operators.
Retention Period: Not specified.
Related Code Sections: O.C.G.A. Section 10-4-140 and the sections following.

Leaf Tobacco Warehousing

Citation: O.C.G.A. Section 10-4-108 Records and Reports of Warehousemen. [Leaf Tobacco]
Regulating Agency: Department of Agriculture.
Requirement: To keep a correct daily account of the number of pounds of leaf tobacco sold upon the floor of a tobacco warehouseman's warehouse.
Persons Affected: Each leaf tobacco warehouse licensee.
Retention Period: Not specified.

Citation: Rule 40-18-2-.03 Records and Reports. Amended.
Regulating Agency: Department of Agriculture.
Requirement: To keep records containing: (1) the weekly total of tobacco purchased at flue-cured leaf tobacco auction sales establishments licensed under Rule 40-18-2-.02; (2) the weekly total of tobacco purchased at non-auction sales from other dealers, giving name, address, dealer number assigned by USDA-ASCS, and pounds purchased from each dealer; (3) the weekly total of tobacco purchased at non-auction sales from producer, giving name, address, county, pounds purchased, and Farm Serial Number for each producer; (4) indication as to whether the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission tobacco assessment was collected for the weekly total of tobacco purchased at non-auction sales from producers; (5) the weekly total of sales of tobacco purchased at non-auction by the licensee, listed by name, address, and amount sold to each person, firm, or corporation; and (6) a final report at the end of each marketing year, showing sales of all tobacco purchased at nonauction sales by the licensee.
Persons Affected: Licensed tobacco dealers. [NOTE: Rule 40-18-2-.01 defines "tobacco dealer" as "any person, firm or corporation purchasing tobacco at auction at any flue-cured leaf tobacco auction sales establishment licensed" under Rule 40-18-2-.02.]
Retention Period: Not specified.
Related Code Sections: O.C.G.A. Section 10-4-114.

Warehousemen, Records of

Citation: O.C.G.A. Section 10-4-23 Records of Warehousemen.
Regulating Agency: Department of Agriculture.
Requirement: To keep for inspection, in a place of safety, complete and correct records of all agricultural products received at the warehouse for storage or delivered therefrom, including a separate account of all such agricultural products owned by the warehouseman, of all warehouse receipts issued by him, and of the receipts returned to and canceled by him.
Persons Affected: Every warehouseman conducting a warehouse under the Georgia State Warehouse Act. (O.C.G.A. Title 10, Chapter 4, Article 1).
Retention Period: Such period as the Commissioner of Agriculture may prescribe.

Citation: O.C.G.A. Section 10-4-24 Inspection of Records; Preservation of Records When License Terminated.
Regulating Agency: Department of Agriculture.
Requirement: To preserve all books, papers, accounts, and other records required to be kept under O.C.G.A. Section 10-4-23 relating to the operation of the warehouse during the effective period of the license, in the event of suspension, revocation, or other termination of a license issued under O.C.G.A. Title 10, Chapter 4, Article 1.
Persons Affected: Every warehouseman conducting a warehouse under O.C.G.A. Title 10, Chapter 4, Article 1.
Retention Period: Such period of time as may be prescribed by the Commissioner of Agriculture. See Rule 40-14-3-.02, which requires preservation of all books, papers, accounts, and other records relating to the operation of the warehouse during the effective period of the license for a period of six years or until released in writing by the Commissioner of Agriculture or the Director of the Marketing Division of the Department of Agriculture.

Citation: Rule 40-14-3-.02 Records. Amended.
Regulating Agency: State Warehouse Division of the Department of Agriculture.
Requirement: To maintain receiving and shipping records which will reflect, at least, (1) receipt number; (2) date issued; (3) to whom issued; (4) identifying mark, if any; (5) type commodity (except where only one type commodity is stored or covered by receipts, the type commodity may be listed at the top of each page); (6) weight or quantity; (7) date released or shipped; (8) to whom released or shipped; and (9) shipper's identifying mark, if any.
Persons Affected: All warehousemen coming under the provisions of the Georgia State Warehouse Act (O.C.G.A. Title 10, Chapter 4, Article 1).
Retention Period: A period of six years or until released in writing by the Commissioner of Agriculture or the Director of the State Warehouse Division of the Department of Agriculture.
Related Code Sections: O.C.G.A. Sections 10-4-23 and 10-4-24.

Warehousing, Convienence--The Convienence Warehouse Act of 1975

Citation: O.C.G.A. Section 10-4-192 Convenience Warehouseman to Obtain and Retain Certain Information; Property Ownership Statement.
Regulating Agency: None, but O.C.G.A. Section 10-4-193 creates criminal penalties for noncompliance.
Requirement: To obtain and retain from each person renting or leasing a storage space (1) his name, age, home address, and home telephone number, if any; (2) his social security number, if any; (3) his driver's license number, if any; (4) the name and address of his employer; and (5) a written document, under oath, signed by the person renting or leasing a storage space from a convenience warehouse, stating that he is the legal owner of or has legal possession of any property which he intends to store in the storage space rented or leased by him. NOTE: Convenience warehousemen are to retain the original copy of the written document described in (5) above and to provide a copy of the written document to the lessee.
Persons Affected: Any person engaged in the business of operating a convenience warehouse.
Retention Period: A period of one year following the last date on which the storage space was rented or leased to the person covered by the information.

Weights and Measures

Citation: Rule 40-15-5-.01 Weighing Tobacco in Auction Warehouses. Amended.
Regulating Agency: Commissioner of Agriculture.
Requirement: To retain a copy of all records, including sales tags, weight tickets, account of sales, and other records covering each transaction.
Persons Affected: Every tobacco auction market manager.
Retention Period: A period of three years.
Related Code Sections: O.C.G.A. Section 10-2-49.