Hold the returns and supporting documents for at least seven years. The IRS can randomly audit you three years after you file — or six years afterward if it thinks you skipped out on reporting your income by at least 25%.
KEEP 3 TO 7 YEARS
Knowing that, a good rule of thumb is to save any document that verifies information on your tax return—including Forms W-2 and 1099, bank and brokerage statements, tuition payments and charitable donation receipts—for three to seven years.
After one year, it's safe to shred and discard the paper with one big exception: Anything that documents a tax deduction should be kept for at least three years. The IRS says it rarely goes back farther than that in audits, although it reserves the option to do so.
Keep them as long as needed to help with tax preparation or fraud/dispute resolution. And maintain files securely for at least seven years if you've used your statements to support information you've included in your tax return.
Once you submit the return, shred those stubs and statements. After filing, go back 3 years to shred the old tax return forms, W-2s, 1099s, K-1s, canceled checks, receipts for charitable contributions, and other information used in past taxes.
Like your mortgage payment statements, you should keep any paperwork on your refinance for at least 3 years. Although, some professionals might recommend keeping it for at least 10 years.
Old insurance documents and paperwork contain sensitive data that can make it easy for identity thieves to violate your privacy, so avoid placing whole documents in your recycling or trash. Instead, shred documents using a cross-cut shredder (one that shreds in two directions, producing small, confetti-like pieces).
Keep forever.
Also, hold on to any defined-benefit plan documents, estate-planning documents, life insurance policies, and an inventory of what's inside your bank safe deposit box.
Keep records for 3 years from the date you filed your original return or 2 years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later, if you file a claim for credit or refund after you file your return. Keep records for 7 years if you file a claim for a loss from worthless securities or bad debt deduction.
In general, 401k plan records must be kept for a period of not less than six years after the filing date of the IRS Form 5500 created from those records.
You can order copies of your statements beyond what is available online, up to 7 years ago. Your statement copy will be delivered online, free of charge. If you are an Online Banking customer, you can sign into Online Banking, and select Statements & Documents under the Accounts tab.
1 Bank statements of the past year should be kept for tax-filing purposes, but you may also need them to get a loan or rent a home. Banks are required by federal law to keep most records on file for at least five years, and many keep members' account statements available for up to seven.
How long must a bank keep canceled checks / check records / copies of checks? Generally, if a bank does not return canceled checks to its customers, it must either retain the canceled checks, or a copy or reproduction of the checks, for five years.
Just take it into your local bank and ask them to replace it. As long as you have at least half of the bill left, most banks will gladly exchange it for you.
According to the IRS, it generally audits returns filed within the past three years. But it usually doesn't go back more than the past six years. Either way, it can be a good idea to keep any credit card statements with proof of deductions for six years after you file your tax return.
For example, keep a copy of your income tax return and the IRS acknowledgement or acceptance document for every year you've filed. If the return is four years old or older, you can destroy the supporting documents – all those receipts and so forth – but keep the return itself and the IRS confirmation.
Most experts suggest that you can shred many other documents sooner than seven years. After paying credit card or utility bills, shred them immediately. Also, shred sales receipts, unless related to warranties, taxes, or insurance.
You should shred any mail you don't need to hang on to including bills, notices from the DMV, IRS, and Social Security Administration, etc. In fact, anything containing any personal information should go into the shredder if you don't need to save it. While this may seem a bit excessive, it isn't really.
Because of the issue of identity theft, it is not safe to throw away receipts, junk mail, and other documents containing sensitive personal information. Identity thieves can rifle through your trash or recycle bin, steal your information, and use it to launch fraudulent and criminal attacks on you.
You should definitely keep the letter telling you that your loan was paid off in full. We'd also want you to keep at least the most current loan statement, the “payment in full” letter and a copy of the satisfaction of mortgage after it has been recorded.
Tax returns and supporting documents (keep for at least three years, but ideally up to seven) Pay stubs (keep for at least six months, but ideally up to one year) Social security statements (keep current copies) Year-end retirement fund statements (keep current copies)
Financial experts recommend keeping these records for seven years after your home sale, based on the IRS's time frame for audits. The IRS has three years to audit your return if it suspects any good-faith errors on your part, and six years if it thinks you underreported your income by at least 25%.
Generally, the IRS can include returns filed within the last three years in an audit. If we identify a substantial error, we may add additional years. We usually don't go back more than the last six years. The IRS tries to audit tax returns as soon as possible after they are filed.