# HMRC audit readiness

> Every record HMRC could ask for, in one place. One audit trail per creator, exported in minutes.

## What HMRC can ask for
HMRC can ask to see the records behind any payment you make. For creator payments that usually means the contract, the status decision, the invoice and proof of payment.

## How long to keep records
UK companies generally need to keep accounting records for six years from the end of the financial year they relate to.

## What a good audit trail shows
- Who the creator is and how they were checked
- The contract and the IR35 decision
- The invoice, matched to the contract
- Who approved the payment, and when
- The payout, including any FX

StrideHQ collects what these rules need during [creator onboarding](https://stridehq.ai/creator-onboarding.md), before anyone is paid.

## How StrideHQ keeps you audit-ready
1. **One trail per creator.** Every step from onboarding to payout recorded in one place.
2. **Tamper-evident records.** Changes are logged, so the trail shows exactly what happened.
3. **Export in minutes.** Hand an inspector the full record without digging through inboxes.

StrideHQ automates compliance work. It doesn't replace professional tax or legal advice.