You must keep your business records for at least 7 years.

How long do you have to keep corporation tax records?

Keep business income tax returns and supporting documents for at least seven years from the tax year of the return. The IRS can audit your return and you can amend your return to claim additional credits for a period that varies from three to seven years from the date you first filed.

How many years of records should a company keep?

Most lawyers, accountants and bookkeeping services recommend keeping original documents for at least seven years. As a rule of thumb, seven years is sufficient time for defending tax audits, lawsuits and potential claims.

What corporate records must be kept?

What Should My Corporate Records Contain?

• Your articles of incorporation (and any amendments to them)
• A copy of your corporate bylaws.
• Minutes from board meetings and annual shareholder meetings.
• Income tax returns (and proof documents for any deductions you make)
• Employment tax records.

How many years of tax information should I keep?

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.

How do I get rid of old tax returns?

The most common way to destroy sensitive documents is to shred them. Many stores offer paper shredding at a cost to you. Some of those businesses include The UPS Store, FedEx, Staples, and Office Depot. Sometimes, your financial institution will shred them.

How long does a business need to keep bank statements?

Accountants typically will advise businesses to keep their bank account and credit statements for 7 years. However, if your monthly statements aren’t serving any tax or other business purposes, you can consider shredding them after a year and keeping your detailed annual statements on hand for 7 years.

Should you shred old tax returns?

With that timeframe, California residents should keep their state tax records for at least four years. What Should I Do with My Old Tax Returns? Once you have scanned your tax documents, make sure to dispose of them in a secure manner. At the very least, shred them before throwing them in the trash.

Does an S Corp have to keep minutes?

If you run an S corporation, you are not required by law to keep meeting minutes. However, they can be a good way to record the progress your company makes toward meeting corporate objectives. Minutes can also be useful as a legal record of corporate activities in the event of a lawsuit or tax audit.

How long should you keep business records after closing?

The IRS says you need to keep your records “as long as needed to prove the income or deductions on a tax return.” In general, this means you need to keep your tax records for three years from the date the return was filed, or from the due date of the tax return (whichever is later).

What papers to save and what to throw away?

What Documents Can I Throw Away—and When?

• Tax Returns. Old tax documents are probably the number one category of documents we’re asked about.
• Bank Statements.
• Explanation of Benefits (EOB) Forms.
• Medical Bills.
• Utility Bills.
• Paycheck Stubs.
• Credit Card Statements.
• Wills and Estate Planning Documents.

How long do businesses need to keep tax records in Australia?

Keeping good business records makes good business sense. You must keep all your business records for five years, including tax invoices, receipts, salary and wages records, tax returns and activity statements, and super contributions for your employees.