---
title: "Throw away paper receipts? A lawyer explains who needs to keep utility bills and why"
description: "Keep paper utility receipts or throw them away? A lawyer gives a clear answer: if you pay online, paper is not needed; if via post office, keep them for a year. We break down payment nuances and tariffs. 🏠📄💸"
date: 2026-07-08T04:16:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/throw-away-paper-receipts-lawyer-explains-who-needs-to-keep-utility-bills-and-why
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Throw away paper receipts? A lawyer explains who needs to keep utility bills and why

![Elderly man reviewing paper utility bills in the kitchen](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/09/kuda-delat-bumazhnye-kvitantsii-za-kommunalnye-uslugi-sovet-yurista/kuda-delat-bumazhnye-kvitantsii-za-kommunalnye-uslugi-sovet-yurista-1.webp)

In the era of digitalization, the habit of keeping stacks of paper receipts in a drawer is becoming less relevant. However, according to experts, not everyone should completely abandon paper copies. Elena Voronkova, a lawyer from the "Ivan Homych" law firm, provided clear explanations to RBC-Ukraine regarding when keeping receipts is necessary and when it is simply a waste of space.

### Digital footprint as a guarantee

The situation changes drastically depending on the payment method. If a subscriber prefers modern technology and pays utility bills through their bank's online portal, then collecting and storing paper receipts makes no sense. All information about transactions is securely recorded electronically, which serves as sufficient proof of payment in case any questions arise.

### When paper is still needed

It is a different story for those who continue to pay services at post offices or through third-party services. In this case, receipts must be kept. According to Elena Voronkova, it is recommended to keep them for about a year. This is necessary to prevent possible misunderstandings regarding future calculations and to confirm the fact of payment.

### What to do in case of errors and how tariffs change

The lawyer also reminded about the importance of paying attention to bills. Previously, she explained the algorithm of actions when an error is found in a receipt: there is a clear procedure to resolve it. Additionally, the issue of resource costs remains relevant. Previously, RBC-Ukraine reported on the cost of electricity for the population in July and possible tariff revisions, as well as published updated gas supplier rates for the current month.